City to Require Foam Balls for Pickleball, Reduce Noise

Pickleball noise. It's the topic discussed ad nauseam across the world of pickle lately.

Read:

• Pickleball doesn't have a noise problem, it has a planning problem
• Massachussetss resident can't sell home due to pickleball noise

One community in Georgia has escalated its efforts to solve the 'pervasive' issue.

Avondale Estates, a city in Georgia, is implementing new regulations for its pickleball courts to address noise concerns and manage non-resident usage. 

The city plans to require the use of foam balls, which are quieter than traditional plastic balls, to reduce noise levels that have been bothering nearby residents. Additionally, non-residents will be required to pay a fee to use the courts, though the exact amount has not yet been determined.

Key Changes

1. Mandatory foam balls: All players will be required to use foam balls on the courts to minimize noise.
2. Non-resident fee: A fee structure for non-residents will be implemented to help manage court usage.

Reasons for Changes

• Noise complaints: Residents living near the courts have complained about the noise generated by pickleball play.
• Increased popularity: The sport's growing popularity has led to more non-residents using the courts.

The city is still working on finalizing the details of these new regulations, including how to enforce the foam ball requirement and the specific fee structure for non-residents

Could this become commonplace as the sport continues its aggressive growth? We can only hope note.