Hingham Delays Pickleball Court Vote Amid Resident Concerns

The Hingham Select Board has delayed its vote on funding for new pickleball courts at Carlson Field following community concerns about noise and traffic impacts on nearby neighborhoods.

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) had previously recommended allocating $758,640, covering 40% of the $1.89 million total project cost, to construct 12 dedicated pickleball courts at Carlson Field. However, at a recent meeting, the Select Board opted to hold off on the final vote to allow more time to address ongoing concerns from residents.

Resident Concerns Prompt Delay

During recent public discussions, neighbors expressed strong concerns regarding the noise generated by pickleball, traffic congestion, and potential environmental impacts. A group of residents from neighborhoods surrounding Carlson Field have specifically requested a meeting with town officials and the sound engineering consultants involved in assessing noise mitigation options.

Select Board Member Liz Klein expressed a desire for further community engagement before proceeding.

"From my perspective, there's some unanswered questions here, and I don't think the select board office has responded to the letter. It was just received today, but the residents requesting that meeting. So I'd feel more comfortable if we went down that route before we voted," said Liz Klein, Hingham Select Board Member.

Sound Study Highlights Challenges

A recent sound study commissioned by the town concluded that the sound of pickleball play would indeed be audible from multiple surrounding residential areas. While consultants proposed installing 10-foot-high sound screens as mitigation, some residents remain skeptical.

"The sound predictions herein show that the proposed pickleball facility will be audible at all receivers depending on time of day in which courts are being used," said Bill Creehan, a resident of Edgar Walker Court.

Other residents have highlighted concerns about increased traffic and parking issues potentially resulting from the new facility.

"Adams Court is a private one-way road. It’s not maintained at all by the town, and there were a lot of promises that really weren’t met when the light plant was being built," said Jim Costello, a resident of Adams Court.

Supporters Stress Community Benefits

Supporters of the project continue to stress the need for dedicated pickleball courts to accommodate the sport's rapid growth in town, pointing out that current facilities are insufficient.

"This is something that builds community. We have met countless numbers of people we wouldn’t have met if we were not playing pickleball," said Marianne Bryan, a local pickleball advocate.

Town recreation officials have emphasized that Carlson Field remains the best available location due to its distance from residential properties.

"This is the most optimal location in Hingham for dedicated courts, the biggest factor being that it sits the furthest away from the nearest resident," said Mark Thorell, Hingham Recreation Director.

Next Steps

With the Select Board's decision to delay funding approval, additional meetings involving residents, sound experts, and town officials are anticipated in the coming weeks. The Select Board has not yet scheduled a new date for the final vote.

Town officials hope the delay will help find common ground between the community’s recreational needs and neighborhood concerns.

To watch the full video of the meeting, visit Harbor Media. 

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