Maine Neighbors Win as Kittery Closes Loud Pickleball Court

The popular sound of pickleball is being silenced in one southern Maine town after neighbors said enough is enough.

Town officials in Kittery have voted to close an outdoor pickleball court following a wave of complaints from nearby residents who say the noise had become too much to handle. The sharp, repetitive “pop” of paddles hitting plastic balls was at the center of the issue.

According to WGME, to get clarity, the town conducted a sound study, which confirmed what many neighbors had been saying. The noise levels from the court were exceeding the limits set under Kittery’s local ordinance.

“It’s unfortunate that we’re choosing to do this,” said Town Council Chairperson Judy Spiller. “But it’s in the long-term interest of the people who live around that court.”

The study also revealed another key issue. It found that pickleball courts should be located at least 500 feet away from homes or neighborhoods to avoid becoming a disturbance. In this case, the court simply didn’t meet that standard, the news station reported.

Town leaders say they are now working on a plan for what comes next. One option being discussed is repurposing the space for a different activity, like basketball or another quieter recreational use.

At the same time, Kittery is exploring other locations around town where new pickleball courts could be built in a way that won’t impact nearby homeowners.

WGME went on to explain that for now, local players aren’t completely out of luck. Pickleball is still available indoors at the Kittery Community Center, giving fans of the fast-growing sport a place to play while the town figures out its next move.