BEYOND THE FIELD
anytime you can use an abandoned or converted developed site rather than taking away farmland or woodland.
SOUND CONSIDERATIONS Sound considerations are among the most critical aspects when planning and locating pickleball courts. Throughout the United States, there have been several instances where courts were placed too close to residences, leading to serious complaints and, in some cases, closure of the courts. Pickleball can be noisier than tennis due to the ball’ s higher pitch and the game’ s social nature.
To mitigate sound issues, several strategies can be employed:
Distance: The most effective mitigation strategy is maintaining sufficient distance. Courts should be kept at a safe distance from residences, offices, schools, daycare facilities and similar locations.
Existing elements: Natural and built elements such as woodlands, walls, terrain and buildings can provide sound buffering and should be considered when siting the courts.
Acoustical barriers: Installing barriers such as Acoustifence or FenceScreen can reduce noise by up to 50 percent.
Quiet equipment: Requiring or recommending the use of quieter paddles and balls can help achieve acceptable sound levels in residential areas; however, it is difficult to enforce this with public courts.
Community engagement: It is important to confirm that the adjacent property owners are well aware of the project and its impact.
The latest ASBA and USAP recommendations suggest that pickleball courts should not be allowed within 100 feet of residential buildings. Within 350 feet, noise abatement measures should be installed; within 600 feet, an acoustic review should be conducted. At 400 feet away, pickleball noise is generally 58 dBa, comparable to the noise level of tennis.
A Model Noise Ordinance for Pickleball, prepared by the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse using the U. S. EPA Model Noise Ordinance as a basis, provides valuable guidance. It states:
“ While the model language provides a number of tools to regulate pickleball noise, from decibel levels to plainly audible to time-of-day requirements, the primary and easiest method to protect the health and well-being of neighbors is to adopt a setback from dwellings of 800 feet.”
Too often, communities replace existing tennis courts with pickleball courts immediately adjacent to residences without adequate planning or consideration, causing serious conflicts and concerns within the community.
Multi-court / facility recreation complex schematic design perspective rendering illustrating how multiple courts can share support amenities.
CONVERTING EXISTING COURTS The most sustainable and cost-effective solution to meet the growing demand for pickleball courts is to convert existing tennis courts to pickleball courts. This approach not only maximizes the use of available space, but also minimizes the need for new construction. Conversion can be done in several ways:
One pickleball court per tennis court: Center the markings on the net and court, and lower the tennis net to 34 inches in the center.
Two pickleball courts per tennis court: Utilize temporary nets( or permanent with new post footings) to fit two courts within the standard tennis court dimensions.
24 SportsField Management | June 2025 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com