Lone Tree Residents Sue Over Pickleball Noise, Seeking Relief

Residents of Lone Tree, Colorado, have filed a lawsuit against the City of Lone Tree and the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District over noise from nearby pickleball courts. The plaintiffs, who live next to the Lone Tree Recreation Center, claim the noise is unbearable, disrupting their daily lives.

The lawsuit, filed in Douglas County, alleges that noise levels from the courts exceed local and state standards, depriving residents of quiet enjoyment of their homes. The six courts, located at the southeast corner of the center’s parking lot, are open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and feature lighting for night play.

According to the lawsuit, the constant sound of pickleball paddles striking balls, occurring every two seconds for up to 13 hours a day, creates impulsive noise that invades homes even with closed windows and doors. This has severely impacted residents’ ability to enjoy their outdoor spaces and, in some cases, to work from home.

Despite attempts by one family to mitigate the noise with a fountain, deck speakers, and headsets, none proved effective. Residents commissioned a sound study showing pickleball strikes produce noise levels averaging 62.1 dBA, surpassing the 50 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime limits set by the Colorado Noise Abatement Statute.

Efforts by the city and parks district to reduce noise with fencing and landscaping have failed, the lawsuit claims. The plaintiffs have been requesting the closure of the courts for seven months, arguing that no community member should endure such conditions.

The city and the parks district have declined to comment on the pending litigation. The outcome of the lawsuit could lead to the courts’ closure or necessitate expensive soundproofing measures.