Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Monday, August 18, 2025
Pickleball Court Noise and Parking Issues
Lions Park Playground Replacement
Parks Service Level and Staffing Needs (Parks Director)
Votes (2)
Pickleball Courts: Addressing Noise, Parking, and Usage
Moved by Commissioner Peter [00:52:19] · Seconded by Commissioner [00:53:57]
Multiple residents detailed significant disruptions from pickleball courts, including constant loud popping sounds, excessive shouting and swearing, light pollution into homes, and dangerous parking congestion on residential streets. They cited negative impacts on quality of life, property values, and safety. Staff outlined options for addressing the issues, including potential relocation of courts, noise barriers (estimated at $35,000 for two sides of Pebble Park, 2023 prices), or adjusting playing hours. Commissioners discussed the need for short-term solutions and longer-term strategies, acknowledging the popularity of the sport while addressing neighbor concerns. The consensus leaned towards immediate adjustments to playing hours and further investigation into mitigation.
Lions Park Playground Replacement Recommendation
Moved by Commissioner [01:17:01] · Seconded by Commissioner [01:18:23]
The discussion centered on selecting one of five proposed designs for the 2026 replacement of the Lions Park playground. Features considered included age range (5-12, with some teen appeal), ADA compliance, active play components (slides, climbers, zip lines), sensory elements (chimes, spinners), and seating. Community feedback from National Night Out showed a preference for options 2, 3, and 5. Option 4, though slightly over the initial CIP budget, was favored for its large and challenging 'crab tree climbing structure', ADA compliance, and potential to attract a wider age range. Staff confirmed the city's parks dedication fund could cover the increased cost. There was also discussion about potential land survey issues affecting the current playground's footprint relative to property lines.
Notable Quotes (7)
You do not want this next to your house. the noise it generates is going to drive you nuts.
If there if one of my neighbors, and I live in a retirement community, if someone has a heart attack, an ambulance is not getting through when people are on both sides of the street.
Exposure to constant noise is a known stress inducer in humans with serious health consequences. There have been numerous studies confirming this.
Our parks master plan was actually completed after the installation of our pickleball courts. So that recommendation in our parks master plan comes from the national park and rec association. So that wasn't a part of a of our previous recreation room plan.
I also will just step back a little bit and say I really do empathize with what I'm hearing today. I I know how s sound can be intrusive. I get that. Um, I'm also, you've heard me say before, at sometimes when we have some of these problems where it's people having fun, I have a hard time I I have to balance those two. Um, that's part of our job.
Option three was the most popular followed by options two and number five. And just let me just indicate like the voting was very close. Like we had 29 votes for number three. Um number number two and number five came in at 26 27 um with 25 at number four with number one coming in with probably the least at um number with 11 votes.
I think um I think no matter which park we pick, little kids are and everyone's basically going to use it and try it out. I think really for the teenage thing, I do think that the physical equipment is definitely it's going to attract them because they're going to be like, 'Oh, I can definitely do more pull-ups in you or something like that and ego, whatever.' But I don't think it can really retain people at the park very long. I think after a baseball game, kids might go over and be like, 'Let's play on this pull-up bar for some time.' But then after a while, I think what you were saying earlier about how like the building's taller, so it kind of like it's got like the sparkly aspect to it. I think that'd be better for like retaining older people at the park. Like there's almost like a challenge to the park.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
Comprehensive plan completed after pickleball court installation, recommending a 600-foot distance from residences and identifying adding a Parks Director as a top priority.
Advises 600-foot guideline for pickleball courts; part of the broader Parks Master Plan.
Outlines funding for the Lions Park playground replacement and other future park projects.
Added the Parks Director position review and implementation for 2025.