Impact statement
Impact statement from a Linear resident shared with the Board:
“On Saturday morning, I heard pickleball noise inside my home- both in my kitchen and my bedroom, that face the rear of our home. When I stepped outside on our deck, the sound was louder than I could hear from inside. While the overall noise level was reduced with the quiet paddles, tit was still disruptive inside my home. I could hear each time when the ball made contact with the paddles. I cannot comment on the difference in court orientation, however. The disturbance to our family life- meals, conversation, relaxation, remains. Additionally, the impact on our baby’s sleep has been profound. Previously, The noise from outside was so intrusive that we were compelled to move him to the basement. He cannot rest on the main floor or in the upstairs bedrooms, as the sounds of pickleball disrupted his sleep—both during the day and at night. We did not return him to his usual sleeping arrangements during the sound test this weekend, but I firmly believe the noise would have disturbed his rest, which is extremely precious to us. To mitigate the situation, we have installed heavy curtains in the bedrooms in an attempt to dampen the sound intrusion. However, despite our best efforts, the problem persists. To be honest, when pickleball took a brief hiatus, it was an absolute relief. I hadn’t fully realized how much the noise had been affecting our lives inside the home—whether it was during meals, while cooking, while reading, or even attempting family conversations. The noise used to wake me in my bed, both early in the morning and late at night. When I heard the paddles again yesterday, it triggered an immediate sense of distress. I found myself retreating to the basement and eventually leaving the house entirely to run errands. The peace inside my home, free from the incessant noise, is genuinely more pleasant. During the sound test, I did hear the noise of the paddles, but the social interactions seemed to be more restrained. I believe this was due to the players being very considerate of the potential disruption to their neighbors. In my experience, however, it is often the more vocal and less mindful players—those who engage in late-night games or exuberant cheering—that tend to cause the most significant disturbance. I am uncertain how this could be effectively regulated, especially given the inherent nature of the game. We absolutely love Glen Abbey and wish to remain here. However, if pickleball resumes and continues to disrupt our family’s ability to find peace and rest in our home, we will be forced to reconsider our living situation. If there is any way to find a sustainable solution to this issue, I would be sincerely grateful.
We ask that you consider the peace and well-being of the residents within their own homes and urgently help us find a long-term solution to the noise disturbance caused by pickleball. While we understand that the number of residents impacted at this location may be relatively small, the disruption to our family’s daily life would be significant if pickleball resumes. Alternatively, we ask that these courts be used solely for the purpose for which they were originally designed: tennis. Tennis simply does not produce the same overwhelming noise that pickleball does, and its quiet nature would allow us all to enjoy the tranquility of our homes. The impact of the noise on our family cannot be overstated. The incessant disruptions threaten our ability to relax, communicate, and—most importantly—rest in the comfort of our own home. We are asking for your help in resolving this matter so we can continue to enjoy the peaceful environment we have worked so hard to maintain."
