Pickleball sounds stressing out disabled kids

The Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking ways to reduce pickleball noise from Mitchell Park because the high-pitched popping sounds are stressing disabled children using the nearby Magical Bridge Playground. Commissioners said solutions could include fences, panels, netting, curtains, trees, quieter paddles, or reorienting the courts to limit sound travel. The Magical Bridge Playground serves children of all abilities, including neurodiverse children, and families have reported fewer visits due to noise. The commission voted against replacing two tennis courts with eight tennis courts at Mitchell Park and encouraged pickleball and tennis players to coordinate on alternative locations with fewer noise and parking impacts. Pickleball players said the sport supports community connection and staying active, but long wait times limit regular play.

"“We need to find a solution for the sound no matter what,” Commissioner Shani Kleinhaus said on Tuesday night."

"Commissioner Bing Wei said the pickleball club should explore fences, panels, netting, curtains or trees to stop sounds from carrying. She also suggested using quieter paddles or reorienting the courts. “Particularly because of proximity to the Magical Bridge Playground - a very unique, important, inclusive space serving children of all abilities, including neurodiverse children and families seeking a calmer, more accessible environment,” Wei said."

"No new courts Commissioners voted 7-0 on Tuesday (May 26) against replacing two tennis courts with eight tennis courts at Mitchell Park. They encouraged pickleball and tennis players to work together to find space somewhere else, where noise and parking are less of an issue. “If we could create the dream pickleball location, where would it be?” Commissioner Amanda Brown asked."

"Pickleball players said the sport has helped them stay active and connected with a community, but long wait times between games make it difficult to play regularly. Families not coming to park Tennis players said they've already lost enough court space. Representatives of the Magical Bridge Foundation said families have stopped coming to their playground because of the"

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