Pickleball sparks controversy in Louisville neighborhoods due to noise concerns

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Is pickleball any louder than other public park activities? It may not be — but it definitely sounds different.

Joey Tyrrell and Bryan Works started playing pickleball about two years ago.

"Probably just since they put these out here," Works said, referring to the six courts at Wyandotte Park where they’ve been spending time this summer.

We asked them if the sport is actually loud.

“No, I’ve never heard anybody say it was loud before,” Tyrrell said. “That’s actually surprising to hear.”

Pickleball, the fast-growing paddle sport played with a whiffle-like ball, creates a unique pop that differs from the thud of a tennis ball or the bounce of a basketball. Wooden paddles give off a more muted tone, but composite paddles, which are more commonly used, deliver a crisp, echoing crack that some neighbors said is hard to ignore.

Two guys playing may not draw much attention. But add ten more, and it’s practically a pickleball party.

On Thursday, the courts at Wyandotte Park are full of energy and enthusiasm, especially from a group of young players in town for a University of Louisville summer program for health professionals.

If you think pickleball is just for retirees, think again — the crowd on the courts was mostly young, energetic, and enjoying the game.

So, is it a noisy sport?

“No, no, no. It’s not at all,” one player said with a laugh. “Maybe like basketball — at times — when people get a little frustrated, like in any sport.”

But noise concerns have followed pickleball’s explosive growth nationwide. In places like Wisconsin and Minnesota, residents have pushed for restrictions on playing hours or court locations near neighborhoods.

“I know, I’ve seen it. I’ve heard it. Yeah, I’ve read the news and stuff,” another Louisville player said.

Here in Louisville, one backyard tennis court that was converted into a pickleball court sparked a lawsuit over the noise.

According to court records, “While the parties disagree about the overall volume and frequency of noise from pickleball play, they agree that pickleball does generate more noise than tennis.” The judge ultimately sided with the pickleball court owner.

The sound of the sport even played a role in the defeat of a proposed $65 million tennis and pickleball complex at Joe Creason Park. The "pop-pop-pop" of the paddles was cited as one of the project’s top concerns.

Still, from Wyandotte Park, the ice cream truck rolling through the neighborhood was louder than the rhythmic sounds of the on-going pickleball game.

So, is pickleball noisy? Maybe. Is it too noisy for a public park? That’s a question still being debated — one pop at a time.

Previous Coverage:

'Save Joe Creason' campaign condemns planned $65M tennis, pickleball hub at Louisville park

Louisville aims to become tennis, pickleball hub with proposed $65 million complex

Pickleball boom reaches west Louisville with 12 new courts at sports center

New pickleball, tennis courts unveiled at Fern Creek Park in Louisville