Some neighbors are considering taking legal action against Arlington County, Virginia, because of pickleball noise on the courts at Walter Reed Community Center and Park.
Arlington Now was the first to report a group of residents who live near the park complaining that noise had gotten excessive as more people play pickleball games.
“Over this past summer it’s just gotten really loud and it’s very early and it’s very late,” said Mary McKee.
McKee and other neighbors told WTOP that the noise is happening outside of posted hours and would like the county to take action.
“We would like regulation and some enforcement of the hours and consideration for the neighbors,” she said.
“It’s always full,” John Kang said. “And there are people lined up waiting in the summertime so you constantly hear the pickleball knocking noise.”
McKee is hoping the county will consider putting permanent pickleball courts elsewhere. Currently, the games are being played on tennis courts at the park.
“It’s almost like the Tell-Tale Heart. I can’t not hear it now,” said neighbor Melissa Ridgley.
Some pickleball players told WTOP that they are playing within the posted hours.
“We’re not coming too early. We’re following the rules that have been established by the county,” said Ryan Kane.
Jimmy Brown has been playing at the park for about two and half years and says that he thinks the potential legal challenge may help local pickleball players.
“This might actually help us because, for ten years, people a lot more veteran than me have been fighting to get pickleball courts,” he said. “This lawsuit may actually get the county to pony up and get us a spot where we can get 12 standalone pickleball courts.”
In July, The Arlington County Board approved a Capital Improvement Plan that included responding to requests to include new park programs that address the growing need for dedicated pickleball courts.
The Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation said it could not provide comment.
