The ball is now in the City of Battle Ground’s court after a city-commissioned noise analysis concluded that additional mitigation could significantly reduce sound from the Kiwanis Park pickleball courts and bring noise levels within state guidelines.
The study comes after months of complaints from neighbors who say the sharp crack of pickleball play, amplified by the courts’ metal roof, has disrupted daily life since the six-court complex opened in July.
The study, conducted by Michael Minor & Associates for the City of Battle Ground, followed weeks of complaints from residents living south of the courts. Despite a 10-foot-tall sound wall already in place, neighbors told the city council the noise carried farther than expected, amplified by the roof structure.
According to the analysis conducted by Michael Minor & Associates, typical peak noise levels measured at nearby residences ranged from 83 to 86 decibels, with more common peaks reaching as high as 96 decibels. In worst-case scenarios, maximum peak levels for homes without shielding ranged from 96 to 99 decibels.
While there is no specific regulatory limit for pickleball noise or the sharp racket-ball impact measured as LCpeak, the report notes that sudden peak noises at those levels can be disruptive to normal residential activities.
For ongoing sound levels, the study used Washington state Administrative Code standards, which set a maximum allowable average noise level of 55 decibels for residential properties adjacent to parks. Using allowable short-term exceedances under state law, the study also established a maximum noise threshold of 70 decibels for peak sound events when evaluating impacts from the courts. The firm analyzed multiple noise metrics, finding that predicted noise levels typically exceeded the 55 dBA threshold for most nearby homes. Furthermore, the worst-case sound was predicted to be significantly above this threshold.
According to the report, installing hanging acoustic curtains above the existing sound wall and along portions of the surrounding chain link fencing could bring predicted noise levels below Washington state Administrative Code criteria. The recommendations focus on closing gaps where sound currently flanks over and around the wall, particularly along the south, east and west sides of the facility.
Public Works Director Mark Herceg said the city sought the study after hearing sustained concerns from nearby homeowners.
“Essentially, we got some requests, specifically the neighbors that are kind of on the south side behind it, and they were concerned about the noise,” he said. “Not being a sound or noise engineer, we went to Michael Minor, who we’ve worked with before, and had him look at possible things that could be done to help dampen the noise.”
Herceg said the noise analysis itself cost about $4,000 and was funded through a budget amendment earlier this year. The more significant price tag is the recommended materials. The noise analysis included recommended vendors for the city to obtain the necessary materials to dampen the noise.
“Our ops manager reached out to those vendors, and to get all the materials was about $50,000,” he said.
Before any installation moves forward, the city plans to commission a structural analysis to determine whether the existing roof structure can support the added weight of the curtains or if reinforcement or independent supports would be required.
“The next step that we’re taking is a structural engineer is gonna look at it,” he said. “If the structure can hold them, then there’s no issue. If the structure can’t, then there’s kind of two options,” he said.
Communications Manager Alisha Smith said the findings represent a typical learning curve with new park infrastructure.
“We’ve never built a pickleball court before,” she said. “This is really a way to address those concerns we’ve heard from the citizens, but in order to make sure that we’re doing the best thing possible to help mitigate that sound and go through this process.”
Neighbors Greg and Darlene West, who live near the courts, said the report validates months of frustration.
“The report clearly confirms what we have been experiencing for months: the noise levels from the pickleball courts far exceed the standards established for residential areas,” they wrote in a joint statement to The Reflector. “This means the City is violating its own noise ordinance, and our right to comfort, peace, and repose in our homes is being compromised daily.”
The Wests are asking the city to act quickly, including temporarily suspending play until mitigation is complete and conducting follow-up testing afterward.
“It is unreasonable and unacceptable for residents to continue enduring excessive noise while the City deliberates or slowly rolls out remedies,” they wrote. “Residents’ well-being must take priority over visual preferences or recreational convenience.”
Herceg said a full-scale mitigation, estimated at $50,000, is not cost-prohibitive for the city’s parks budget.
