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Council reviews Memorial Park redesign, pickleball courts and sound-test results
Summary
Staff presented a GRAMA-funded project to resurface courts, add landscaping and install sound mitigation panels for new pickleball courts at Memorial Park; a volunteer-run sound test measured 50–55 dB ambient and peaks of 70–80 dB during intense play. Council discussed maintenance, liability and potential future budget needs for additional abatement.
Planner Carter Bullock presented a finalized design for Memorial Park improvements funded by a GRAMA community-project grant (~$85,000). The project reduces the number of courts to add seating and landscaping, will resurface courts and add a 4-foot dividing fence and selective sound-mitigation panels on sides closest to residences. Wood River Pickleball Alliance conducted a volunteer sound test; staff reported measured ambient sound across the park around 50–55 decibels and peak impacts during strong shots in the 70–80 decibel range. "Across the park ... the sound levels averaged around 50, 55 decibels ... during the hardest hits it got to about 70, 80 decibels," Bullock said.
Staff discussed panel lifespan (10–20 years depending on material), maintenance needs (periodic removal during winter may extend panel life), potential vandalism/cleaning costs for transparent panels, and that additional sound mitigation would need future budget allocation. Council members raised liability concerns about dividing fences, asked whether panels would reduce experienced sound levels (staff said panels may reduce experienced levels by around 10 decibels and can cut perceived sound by roughly half), and acknowledged mixed community reaction. The council directed staff to continue design work, account for likely maintenance and replacement costs in future budgets, and to follow the parks-committee recommendations.
