Residents urge taller fence and safety measures for new Shrewsbury pickleball courts

At the April 14 Board of Aldermen meeting in Shrewsbury, residents pressed city officials to reconsider a planned 4-foot fence around new pickleball courts, warning the lower height could pose safety and liability risks and urging protective measures.

Joanne Morrissey, in a presubmitted written comment, said she was "concerned about the top of the fence being a liability to the city" and warned that "people are very aggressive when trying to keep the ball in play"; she suggested adding protective padding to the top rail and providing two exits so players can retrieve balls without crossing active play. "If they hit the 4' fence at full speed, it could be very serious (concussion, TBI, etc.)," Morrissey wrote.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, James Holmes of Weil Avenue reiterated similar concerns, noting that "standard courts typically use 6-foot fences to better contain play," and urged either raising the fence or adding safety features such as padding and additional gates.

Parks and Recreation Director Chris Buck reported that construction at the sports courts is advancing: tennis court fence posts were installed and groundwork for the pickleball courts is underway, with concrete expected soon. Buck also told the Board staff had completed interviews with firms for an aquatic center feasibility study and would proceed with recommendations pending Board approval.

No formal action on the fence height was recorded at the meeting. The concern was entered into the public record during the presubmitted comments and the public comment period; the Board did not vote on modifications to the court design at the April 14 meeting.