Title
Doogan Park Redevelopment Descoping
History
On April 21, 2025, the Village Board approved the redevelopment of Doogan Park. The approved plan include 10 lighted pickleball courts, adding lighting to the tennis courts, a restroom building with two restrooms, two bocce ball courts, a playground, pavilion, half-basketball court, sledding hill, 360’ x 210’ soccer field, 60’ baseline baseball field, parking lot and landscape improvements.
This plan was developed after gaining input from residents, the Recreation Advisory Board, Planning Commission and the Village Board.
The Doogan Park redevelopment project was awarded a $600,000 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Recent discussions have raised concern about the impact on residents living in close proximity to Doogan Park. While pickleball has experienced explosive growth, the repetitive popping sound from the paddle hitting the ball, along with verbal shouting by players, is known to be disruptive to nearby residents. In some communities, this has led to lawsuits, the removal of courts and altercations between residents and pickleball players.
At 100’, pickleball produces a sound decibel of approximately 70 dB which is loud similar to the sound level of a freeway. At 200’, play creates a sound decibel of approximately 64 dB which is on the high-end of moderate and similar to the ambient conversation of a busy restaurant.
Noise mitigation techniques include constructing courts 500’ from homes, installing sound barriers, installing shrubs, utilizing softer paddles and balls and limiting hours of play.
Sound barriers create a security concern, as do shrubs. Both are minimally effective. Softer paddles and balls create undesirable playing condition for players. Limiting hours reduces the time frame of noise, however, does not eliminate the sound challenges.
The farthest proposed court in the current plan is approximately 350’ from the nearest residence. There is currently one dedicated pickleball court and one-half basketball court located in this location.
The closest proposed court in the current plan is 250’ to the closest home.
Staff have not experienced complaints from the single pickleball court. Concerns have been shared with staff regarding the late-night play on the basketball court.
A community engagement meeting was held on June 17, 2025 at the Civic Center to present the status of the Doogan Park redevelopment plan. 259 Postcards were mailed to residents living in close proximity to the park. Five residents attended this engagement session.
Those in attendance expressed strong concern about the quantity of courts proposed and the cumulative noise that would be generated from installing 10 pickleball courts as a part of the Doogan Park redevelopment.
While participation in the community meeting was low, staff believe this input is likely representative of others living close to Doogan Park as the noise issue has become challenged nationally with pickleball courts installed in residential areas.
Staff propose descoping the Doogan Park redevelopment project to a total of two unlit pickleball courts. This would include the existing court and converting the current half-basketball court to a pickleball court. These two courts would be located approximately 350’ from the nearest home.
Additionally, staff recommend leaving the two existing tennis courts unlit, exploring reducing the size of the north parking lot, and the need for a permanent restroom building. The restroom building has an estimated cost of $380,828.25.
Further, staff propose keeping the remainder of the redevelopment intact including two bocce ball courts, a playground, pavilion, half-basketball court, sledding hill, 360’ x 210’ soccer field and 60’ baseline baseball field.
The scope reduction could result in a reduction or loss of the IDNR OSLAD grant. If so, prior to the final presentation before the Board of Trustees, confirmation of grant funding will be provided.
As the fastest growing sport in America, the need for dedicated pickleball courts remains. Staff propose issuing an RFP to develop dedicated pickleball courts on the south side of the Sportsplex. This is a large undeveloped area that is not in close proximity to any homes. If feasible, Sportsplex provides support amenities including an air-conditioned lounge with access to the potential court area, restrooms and supervision.
Funds saved from descoping the Doogan Park project could potentially be used to develop engineering and construction plans, and potentially construction of the pickleball courts behind the Sportsplex.
The use of the courts and any fees related to the use of the courts would be developed in conjunction with Village advisory boards/committees.
Staff seek Board approval to descope the Doogan Park redevelopment as detailed above.
Staff would subsequentially request a proposal from the engineering firm currently under contract (Christopher B. Burke Engineering LTD.) to redevelop the engineering and bid documents that support the scope reduction.
Staff would also issue an RFP to an engineering firm to develop dedicated pickleball courts behind the Sportsplex. The RFP award would be brought to the Board for approval after proposals are received and evaluated.
Financial Impact
The scope reduction will result in additional engineering and planning costs. The development of construction and engineering plans to add pickleball courts behind Sportsplex will result in additional costs. Funds saved from the reduction of scope would be utilized for this work.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to recommend to the Village Board descoping the redevelopment of Doogan Park reducing the total number of pickleball courts from 10 to 2 unlit pickleball courts, eliminating lighting for the two existing tennis courts, exploring the elimination of the restroom building and planning for the following elements in the redevelopment: two bocce ball courts, a pavilion, half basketball court, new playground, 360’ x 210’ soccer field, 60’ baseline baseball field, improvements to the north and south parking lots, landscaping, sledding hill and all amenities in support of the redevelopment;
AND
To authorize the Village Manager to execute all related contracts, subject to Village Attorney review.