To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Jeff Brauer, Director of Parks and Recreation
Title
Update: Pickleball at Butterfield Crossing Park
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
A key goal identified within the Town of Castle Rock’s 2030 Comprehensive Master Plan is to
enhance residents’ quality of life and foster a distinct Town identity by providing a highly-accessible
and well-distributed system of recreation facilities, parks, open space and trails. Town Code requires the dedication of 8 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. As is industry standard, Town parks are delineated into categories by size and expected usage. Categories include regional, community, neighborhood and pocket parks. Maintaining these classifications is essential to ensuring community members have access to nearby playgrounds, athletic fields and courts, and the region has access to open space, trails and amenities like the Amphitheater and Challenge Hill at Philip S. Miller Park.
When choosing a place to live, people often weigh various factors such as proximity to amenities, safety, and overall quality of life. Living near a park can be highly appealing due to the access to green spaces, opportunities for outdoor activities, and a sense of community. However, it also comes with potential trade-offs, such as noise from children playing, sports activities like pickleball and community events. For some, these sounds contribute to a vibrant, lively neighborhood atmosphere that enhances their living experience. For others, the noise can be a disturbance, impacting their preference for quieter surroundings. Ultimately, the decision reflects individual priorities and lifestyle preferences, balancing the desire for recreational access with the need for peace and tranquility.
While some community members adjacent to the Butterfield Crossing Park have expressed concerns about the noise from pickleball activities, Parks and Recreation staff do not receive complaints regarding pickleball noise in general, at Butterfield Crossing Park or elsewhere. It is also worth noting that the petition that was presented to Town Council to address pickleball noise at Butterflied was signed by a variety of residents outside of the neighborhood who are not directly impacted by the sound.
The hours currently posted for pickleball play at Butterfield Crossing Park are from 8 am-10 pm. Throughout 2023, the Town made a significant investment in The Meadows Neighborhood, undertaking extensive renovations to enhance the park with new courts, court lights, and the addition of the Possibilities Playground. These improvements were designed to enrich the community by providing high-quality recreational facilities that promote physical activity, social interaction, and outdoor enjoyment. The investment reflects a commitment to fostering a vibrant, dynamic neighborhood. It would be unfortunate not to utilize these new amenities, as they play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for residents, encouraging community engagement, and making The Meadows a more attractive and lively place to live.
Attached is the Town staff report discussed at the Town Council meeting on January 16, 2024 concerning pickleball courts, also attached are Council minutes from that meeting. While there was not an approved Council motion, there were Council views to continue to find ways to balance the neighborhood interests in quieter enjoyment of their residences with the desire of citizens to continue to play pickleball. There was no specific motion to reduce hours at the Butterfield courts.
The current park hours are from 6am to 11pm, the posted hours for the pickleball courts are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The pickleball court lights are timed to turn off at 10 p.m. The Butterfield courts - which replaced roller hockey and basketball courts - have remained a focus of staff attention. Trees have been installed as a buffer between the pickleball courts, as expected the trees will need to mature for the best buffer effect. While we continue to look at the possibility of buffers on the courts (as detailed in the January memo), the effectiveness of existing buffers in the marketplace is questioned and the cost is not budgeted.
Additional options are to consider reducing the hours of play at Butterfield. Compliance for hours of play is largely on an honor system basis, unless police officers are present during the off hours. Regarding the concerns about reckless driving and speed in the parking lot, the Police Department will continue to monitor and respond within existing resources.
Attachments
Attachment A: January 16, 2024 Discussion/Direction: Pickleball Facility Summary
Attachment B: January 16, 2024 Town Council Meeting Minutes
Attachment C: Butterfield Crossing Park Posted Sign
Attachment D: Butterfield Crossing Park Pickleball Court Sign