PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY SURVEY

In February 2025, a survey was emailed to the community; responses were received from the owners of 110 lots.

Click HERE for responses to the Multiple Choice questions

Click HERE for written responses to Question 13: “Are there other measure the Board should consider regarding construction or use of pickleball, basketball or other sports courts?

Click HERE for written responses to Question 14: “Any additional comments on pickleball or other sports courts that you would like to share?

PICKLEBALL NOISE INFORMATION

For those unfamiliar with pickleball noise, we have provided a presentation by a pickleball noise mitigation expert at our November Board Meeting.

Online resources on pickleball sound:

Introduction

At the November 16, 2024 Board Meeting, the Board heard from Robert Unetich. Bob is the founder PSM LLC. He is a registered professional engineer and he has worked in consulting for over 40 years. In 2014, he became an avid pickleball player and was asked to investigate ways that the sound of pickleball might be reduced in level at residences near his winter home in Florida. That work involved careful analysis of work done by acoustics engineers and at methods of reducing the level of annoyance experienced by neighbors of pickleball courts. This led to a study of how pickleball sounds are generated and propagated.

He has now been working in pickleball sound mitigation for over 8 years and he frequently offers advice and formal consulting services to communities, pickleball clubs and those living near pickleball courts and courts being converted to pickleball.

The below information was circulated to the MBA community in an email blast in early October 2024, including a request for comments.

There have been several pickleball courts erected on Member’s properties on the Pine Side and courts “drawn” on some streets. The Board has received concerns from members about noise caused by pickleball as well as basketball. The Board is also aware of lawsuits against HOAs relating to pickleball noise and lights affecting members’ enjoyment of their properties.

In light of these concerns and the popularity of the sport, the Board has asked several members to review the issue and consider rules relating to noise and lighting caused by pickleball and basketball and the future creation of such courts on members’ properties.

Please consider your neighbors when playing pickleball and basketball. We all come to Middlesex Beach for the quiet, relaxation, and peacefulness of the community. The noise created by playing pickleball or basketball may be interfering with your neighbor’s enjoyment of their property.

Any proposed draft rules will be communicated to all members and there will be an opportunity for comment before the Board considers whether to implement a rule and the details of any such rules.

Delaware Local Government Noise Ordinances:

Other City Noise Ordinances:

Noise Studies:

Regulations:

Articles gathered by the Board: