The Avondale Estates City Commission, at its Nov. 20 meeting, approved a resolution that outlines regulations for the pickleball courts at Willis Park.
“What we’ve done is require the use of soft balls and require that all non-residents are charged a $5 fee per person when they make their reservation,” City Manager Patrick Bryant said. “We also went ahead and put language in the resolution to encourage folks to use noise reduction paddles. That’s not a requirement.”
There are two tennis courts at Willis Park and both have pickleball courts. Two pickleball courts can fit on a tennis court, and residents and visitors heavily use the four pickleball courts. Pickleball lines were added to the tennis courts about two years ago. The courts are open from 8 a.m. to dusk most days.
The city plans to purchase foam balls and make them available at the courts, as well as add signage stating the new regulations. Priority for the courts will also be given to those who reserve a court in advance. The reservation system is not changing. Pickleball players can reserve a court through the city’s website or the Reserve My Court app. A couple of residents asked about the enforcement of reservations, which the city said is self-policed.
“I would say that more often than not, the courts are reserved,” Bryant said. “If there are no persons reserving the court, it becomes a first-come, first-served situation where the implementation of a charge would be impossible. We think, based on the usage pattern, that is an outcome that will be few and far between.”
The use of foam balls will also be self-policed. The city commission passed a resolution, not an ordinance, so the police department cannot issue citations or fines for players who don’t use foam balls.
“We’re casual players,” resident Mel Hatfield said during public comment. “When you outlaw the real pickleballs, you’re basically outlawing pickleball on the courts. You’re probably going to run a lot of folks off.”
The city commission started discussing possible regulations for the pickleball courts at Willis Park in mid-August to address noise concerns from nearby residents. Residents have raised concerns about the noise from the balls and paddles and players’ talking or celebrating.
The long-term goal is to move the pickleball courts away from a residential area, which will require building new courts. The city is looking for opportunities to partner with DeKalb County Schools or Wellroot to build courts near DeKalb School of the Arts or the former Avondale Pattillo United Methodist Church property.
Source: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/11/21/avondale-estates-city-commission-approves-pickleball-regulations-willis-park/