Reconsidering the Bonnerworth Park pickleball court plan over noise concerns

Councillor Votes

Full Resolution Text

Whereas, the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study (Report CSR23-002) states regarding Pickleball Strategy, “it is recommended that courts be developed in clusters of 8, located at least 150 metres from residential areas”; Whereas, the Bonnerworth site plan proposes 16 outdoor courts under 150 metres from residential areas; Whereas, the noise impact, already proving to problematic to health and wellbeing widely, as well as in Peterborough’s current close-to-residential locations, would be doubly impactful to the immediate neighbours with a 16 outdoor court plan; Whereas, Peterborough’s Mixed-Use Corridor Urban Design Guideline recommends that Urban Community parks support a balance of active and passive uses and a minimizing of hardscaping (balance of open-air green space); Whereas, based on the above Urban Community Park Design Guideline that Bonnerworth should strive to be accessible, diverse, equitable and inclusive; Whereas, based on the same Urban Community Park Design Guideline, urban community parks, should minimize safety risks for those with those accessibility needs and pedestrian park users; Whereas, Peterborough Housing Corporation (ie. 555 Bonnacord St., Hunt Terraces) includes tenants with accessibility and safety needs; And whereas, the current proposal includes increased parking to accommodate an extraordinarily high volume of 16-court pickleball vehicle traffic, thus significantly increasing park-user safety risks; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED… That the proposed plan for Bonnerworth Park presented at the March 21 st Public Consultation at 577 McDonnel St, be brought before Council for discussion of alternative Pickleball/Tennis solutions, with a report back to council before any work on Bonnerworth proceeds.