HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS 06-26Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: CS 06-26
Date: March 2, 2026
From: Laura Gibbs
Director, Community Services
Subject:
Shadybrook Park Court Update
File: A-1440-001
Recommendation:
1. That Report CS 06-26 regarding the Shadybrook Park Court Update be received;
2. That staff be directed to remove the pickleball lines at Shadybrook Park Courts and revert
the court back to tennis only; and,
3. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the actions
necessary to implement the recommendations in this report.
1.0 Executive Summary:
The purpose of this report is to provide a recommendation for the ongoing use of the
pickleball/tennis court at Shadybrook Park.
On March 24, 2025, Council provided direction (Resolution #694/25) that the Pickering
Pickleball Club (PPC) license agreement be terminated effective October 1, 2025, and that
steps be taken to mitigate the ongoing noise and disruption at Shadybrook Park until the
agreement is terminated, including: a) the number of pickleball courts be reduced from four to
two; b) the two eastern pickleball courts be painted over and repurposed for stretching and
non-impact activities only; and c) noise reduction panels be installed on two to three sides of
the enclosure.
Following the installation of the noise reduction panels in spring 2025, staff retained Actinium
Engineering Inc. (AEI) to conduct another noise study. On July 29, 2025, AEI took sound
measurements at the same receptor locations as in the previous noise study conducted on
November 7, 2024, and found that on the sides that the noise reduction panels had been
installed, that the sound levels dropped to a level comparable to the sound levels produced by
playing tennis. At the receptor locations east of the park, pickleball remained substantially
louder than tennis as no panels were installed to mitigate the noise in that direction. The
updated report concluded that in order to reduce sound levels further, either quieter pickleball
CS 06-26 March 2, 2026
Page 2
paddles and balls be used, which is difficult to enforce, the hours of play be reduced, or
pickleball be removed entirely from the court to benefit the nearby residents.
At the Council meeting on October 27, 2025, in response to community feedback, staff were
directed to engage with the residents surrounding Shadybrook Park, the Amberlea Tennis Club
(ATC), and the Pickering Pickleball Club in relation to ongoing use of the third Shadybrook
Park Court for pickleball, considering the results of the noise study and impacts of street
parking on residents, and return recommendations in a Report to Council in Q1, 2026
(Resolution #873/25).
Having completed community engagement and considered the results of the noise study and
impacts of street parking, staff are recommending that the Shadybrook Park Courts not be
used for pickleball. Staff recommend the Shadybrook Park Courts be used for tennis only, with
the hours that had previously been identified for use by the PPC become open public hours for
tennis.
2.0 Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan:
The recommendations in this report respond to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priority of
Advocate for an Inclusive, Welcoming, Safe & Healthy Community; and Strengthening Existing
& Build New Partnerships.
3.0 Financial Implications:
Removal of the remaining pickleball lines are estimated to cost approximately $5,000.
Sufficient funds remain in account C10320.2318 to undertake this work.
4.0 Discussion:
The purpose of this report is to provide a recommendation regarding the ongoing use of the
pickleball/tennis courts at Shadybrook Park.
4.1 Community Engagement
Staff conducted public engagement with the residents surrounding Shadybrook Park
(Attachment 1), ATC and PPC. An online survey was posted on Let’s Talk Pickering from
November 17 to December 19, 2025. The website link was shared with ATC and PPC. The
survey was promoted to residents through Curbex signage on Shadybrook Drive, informational
door hangers (Attachment 2) and door to door engagement which provided an opportunity for
residents to speak directly with staff. Staff also met with members of ATC, PPC and some
residents through the engagement period. There were 273 responses to the survey. From the
total, staff removed duplicate responses with the repeat user IDs as well as responses that did
not identify the respondent as residents of the designated streets, or members of ATC or PPC.
This resulted in 223 eligible survey responses, of which 93 were resident responses. There
CS 06-26 March 2, 2026
Page 3
were 47 ATC member responses, including 14 who are also residents. There were 106 PPC
member responses, including 8 who are residents. The results are as follows:
Survey Question (all responses) Yes No
1.Would you support reopening the pickleball courts with the existing
noise-reduction panels?
66%34%
2.Do you have concerns about noise from the pickleball courts?35%65%
3.Have you noticed a reduction in pickleball noise with the addition of
the noise panels around the pickleball courts?
69%31%
4.Did you or members of your household use the pickleball courts
before they were closed?
53%47%
5.Do you have concerns about street parking around Shadybrook
Park, with the reopening of the pickleball courts?
43%57%
Staff considered the community engagement that supported the third court expansion for the
tennis and pickleball courts (Report CS 11-22) and aimed to reconnect with the residents
regarding the future use of the courts. There was a 33% increase in resident response to the
2025 survey.
To specifically consider the resident responses of those living on Meadowview Avenue,
Shadybrook Drive, Hedgerow Avenue, Orion Court and Eastbank Road, the responses are as
follows:
Survey Question (resident responses only) Yes No
1.Would you support reopening the pickleball courts with the existing
noise-reduction panels?
48%52%
2.Do you have concerns about noise from the pickleball courts?53%47%
3.Have you noticed a reduction in pickleball noise with the addition of
the noise panels around the pickleball courts?
44%56%
4.Did you or members of your household use the pickleball courts
before they were closed?
24%76%
5.Do you have concerns about street parking around Shadybrook
Park, with the reopening of the pickleball courts?
61%39%
Written feedback included:
“Initially, I thought the pickleball courts would be a cool idea and I voted for them. Big mistake.
The reality of the courts was not at all what I expected.”
“The courts were closed for good reason. Reopening them would disregard both the scientific
evidence and the well-being of affected residents.”
“It would be a shame to lose this venue. It has offered a lot to the community living in the
Amberlea area of Pickering.”
CS 06-26 March 2, 2026
Page 4
Staff found that while community feedback revealed overall support for pickleball to continue at
the Shadybrook Park Court, many local residents held a strong sentiment against using the
court for pickleball. Several residents reported that the noise arising from pickleball constituted
a nuisance and impacted their ability to enjoy their backyards. Due to the strong sentiment
against pickleball expressed by residents, staff do not recommend the use of Shadybrook Park
Courts for pickleball.
4.2 Noise Study
Following the receipt of complaints from local residents regarding the noise produced from
pickleball play, staff retained AEI to investigate the issue and to provide recommendations to
remediate the issue. AEI conducted an on-site investigation on November 7, 2024, and took
noise level readings at various locations around the park. AEI modelled the on-site readings
and provided recommendations that would reduce the noise to a level comparable to the noise
created through the playing of tennis, which was deemed to be acceptable to the residents.
AEI’s recommendations included options such as the installation of sound barriers, the use of
quieter pickleball equipment, reducing playing hours and removing pickleball play entirely from
the courts.
ACI was retained to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the noise reduction panels
following their installation. AEI conducted a site visit on July 29, 2025, and took sound
measurements at the same receptor locations as in the previous noise study. At the receptor
locations north and west of the courts, where the noise reduction panels had been installed,
the sound levels dropped to a level comparable to what had been modelled in the previous
study, and to similar sound levels produced by playing tennis. At the receptor locations east of
the park, pickleball remained substantially louder than tennis as no panels were installed to
mitigate the noise in that direction. The updated report concluded that in order to reduce sound
levels further, either quieter pickleball paddles and balls be used, which is difficult to enforce;
the hours of play be reduced; or pickleball be removed entirely from the court to benefit the
nearby residents. The results of the study were provided to Council on September 18, 2025
through Memo CAO 62-25 which was also added to the Council agenda of September 29,
2025 as Correspondence 44.25.
4.3 Street Parking
Staff were directed to consider the impact of street parking surrounding Shadybrook Park
when reconsidering the use of the pickleball courts. While there was no data specifically
related to the pickleball court usage, Municipal Law Enforcement Services staff reported that in
2025, there were seven parking complaints with 74 tickets issued. In 2024, there were eight
parking complaints with 59 tickets issued. This data includes tickets issued on the entire street
and includes tickets not issued as a result of park usage.
There was a 25% increase in parking tickets in 2025, however the relationship to pickleball
court use cannot be confirmed as street parking concerns have long existed during the
summer use of the soccer fields. At least one of the complaints in 2025 referred to the parking
issues caused by cars being on the street during periods of park usage, this includes pickleball
and other activities at the park.
CS 06-26 March 2, 2026
Page 5
Staff have reached out to the private school adjacent to Shadybrook Park to examine the use
of the parking lot for City permit users but have not heard back from the school.
4.4 Licence Agreement with Amberlea Tennis Club
The Recreation & Parks Ten Year Plan recommends a provision target of 1 tennis court per
4,500 residents (public and club-based courts), with a focus on improving the distribution of
unrestricted public courts. Pickering has slightly more tennis courts than comparator
communities, however, there are fewer public courts available in Pickering than in comparator
communities with only four public courts, representing 17% of all courts. The majority of courts
in Pickering are club courts (20 club courts) with exclusive rights to operate tennis
programming. In following the recommendations of the Recreation & Parks Ten Year Plan,
staff recommend that the time that was previously allocated to pickleball on the third court be
used for unrestricted public use for tennis only.
The existing license agreement with the ATC allows for exclusive use of the two original tennis
courts as well as 53 hours per week of tennis on the third court. All three courts are currently
used for drop-in play, lessons, leagues and social events for all ages and skill levels.
The ATC licence agreement, dated July 1, 2023, which is in effect until October 31, 2028,
includes 53 hours of exclusive club use of the third court. Staff recommend that the previously
agreed club use of the third court be maintained. Since this recommendation does not require
a significant change to the existing licence agreement, a revised agreement is not needed at
this time. Staff have met with the ATC to inform them of staff’s recommendation.
The licence agreement with ATC is subject to minor revisions as may be required by the
Director, Community Services and the Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor. The
schedule for club use shall be determined by the City and will give consideration for ATC
league time and tennis lessons. Changes to days and hours will be posted by April 1 each
year.
City staff will post signage on the third court to outline the hours for public and club use.
4.5 Pickleball Courts in Pickering
In 2025, six new, dedicated pickleball courts were constructed in Diana, Princess of Wales
Park. Access to the six pickleball courts is shared between the PPC and the general public.
The schedule of court time allocations is determined by the City and is subject to annual
review. The exact days and hours are posted by signage on the courts and posted on the
City’s website. On September 29, 2025, Council approved a new licence agreement between
the City and the PPC for non-exclusive club use of the new courts during specified periods of
time.
The City continues to advance the provision of new pickleball courts throughout Pickering.
CS 06-26 March 2, 2026
Page 6
4.6 Implementation and Next Steps
The implementation of the recommended action to change the Shadybrook Park Court to
tennis only will result in the following actions by staff:
•local residents will be informed of the change through signage
•the ATC and PPC will be informed of the change
•staff will meet with the ATC to review the 2026 schedule and hours, as outlined in their
current licence agreement
•signage with club and public hours will be posted on the courts
•the remaining pickleball lines will be removed from the court
Attachments:
1. Shadybrook Park Resident Engagement Map
2. Shadybrook Park Resident Door Hanger
Prepared By: Karen Coleman, BA, Manager, Recreation Services
Prepared By: Arnold Mostert, OALA, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development
Approved/Endorsed By: Laura Gibbs, MBA, MSc., Director, Community Services
Approved/Endorsed By: Richard Holborn, P.Eng., Director, Engineering Services
LG:kc
Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council By:
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer
Resident door hangers and door to door
Attachment 1 to Report CS 06-26
Attachment 2 to Report CS 06-26