Roswell Homeowners Oppose Nearby Pickleball Courts Citing Noise, Property-Value Fears

Roswell homeowners pushed back after the city began building six outdoor pickleball courts at Crabapple Center, arguing the courts are too close to residences and will bring persistent noise and potential drops in property values. The courts are part of a $200,000 project funded by the 2022 Recreation & Parks Bond Program and sit roughly 114 feet from some back doors. Construction was expected to finish in the coming months.

Neighbors said the sound of paddles and balls would be a constant interruption to daily life. Teresa Lin said the noise would disrupt her family’s daily routine. Phil and Jane McLemore described the impact this way: the sound was "a hard sound" that kept going and could break up everyday activities such as dinner. Zoe Duggan acknowledged pickleball’s appeal but noted that the potential for constant play, dogs barking and related disruptions left many residents worried.

City officials told homeowners they planned to install sound mitigation measures around the site and said they would monitor the courts for compliance with local ordinances. Despite those assurances, some residents felt city responses were dismissive and remained unconvinced that buffers would protect property values or restore quiet during evenings and weekends, when many players prefer to hit and dink.

For the local pickleball community, the dispute has practical implications. Players who want accessible public courts may gain new local play space, but organizers and leagues will need to be mindful of scheduling, volume and neighbor relations as the courts come online. For residents, the issue is a reminder to track site plans and mitigation commitments closely so promised measures are actually implemented.

Neighbors and players can take specific steps now. Attend upcoming Roswell Recreation & Parks meetings, note construction timelines and ask for details on the promised sound mitigation. Document noise and play patterns after the courts open, and follow city complaint channels if ordinance limits are exceeded. Those steps will create a factual record if negotiations over hours, fencing or additional buffering become necessary.

The courts are poised to expand local access to pickleball but also to test how cities balance recreational demand with residential quality of life. Expect continued conversations between Roswell residents and the parks department as the project finishes and the community gauges whether mitigation measures meet both players’ needs and homeowners’ expectations.