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Resident urges Franklin City Parks Commission to limit pickleball hours and add noise mitigation
Summary
A Franklin resident told the July 13 Parks Commission meeting that daily pickleball play at Pleasant View Nature Preserve creates constant popping noises and shouting that he said disrupt sleep and health; staff agreed to gather information and place the item on a future agenda for possible recommendations to the council.
A Franklin resident urged the city’s Parks Commission on July 13 to curb persistent noise from pickleball courts at Pleasant View Nature Preserve and to explore time limits and sound-mitigation measures.
Steve Suhay (4610 West Drexel Avenue) told commissioners the courts generate noise up to 16 hours a day and described physical and psychological effects he said are linked to constant paddle popping and shouting. "Restricting the time, for example, from 8AM to 7PM would help to have some relief from the constant auditory assault that we experience on a daily basis," Suhay said.
Suhay also suggested installing court-side acoustic barriers and putting signage to warn players about nearby houses. He told the commission he had contacted the common council and the mayor and said some neighbors report disrupted sleep and elevated stress linked to the noise.
Planner staff Mary Ann explained that park rules fall under the Parks Commission while the noise ordinance is regulated through the municipal code. She offered to send Suhay a form to collect details necessary to put the item on a future Parks Commission agenda for formal consideration and potential recommendation to the common council.
Commissioners did not adopt a policy at the meeting but agreed to place the issue on a future agenda to gather more information, including jurisdictional clarifications and any available data about health impacts and local investments in the courts.
Staff and commissioners also disputed a cost figure Suhay offered for city court resurfacing; a commissioner said the $5,000,000 figure he cited was not correct. The commission did not make funding decisions or set hours at the July 13 meeting; staff will follow up and report back.
