A proposal to build six to eight pickleball courts at Rotary Park in Galesburg has sparked opposition from nearby residents, who cite noise, lighting, and parking concerns, as well as a lack of initial community input.
The Galesburg City Council is expected to review bids for the project on Monday, but residents are urging the Council to reconsider the location, with some suggesting alternative sites such as Lakeside Recreation Center and Lincoln Park.
The plan, approved for design and bidding by the City Council on April 21, involves constructing six to eight purpose-built pickleball courts at Rotary Park, 1625 W. Losey St., with a projected completion in spring 2026. The courts, featuring durable concrete surfaces and perimeter fencing, aim to meet the growing demand for pickleball, a sport surging in popularity in Galesburg.
However, residents living on Columbus and Spruce Avenues and other locations near the park have collected 66 signatures on a petition opposing the project, arguing it disrupts the park’s peaceful character and could lower property values. They have not yet submitted the petition to the City.
The petition reads:
We the undersigned are opposed to the installation of six pickleball courts with lights at Rotary Park. We request the Galesburg City Council and the Director of Parks and Recreation find another location away from family homes if the city thinks six lighted pickleball courts are necessary for Galesburg.
Residents voice concerns over noise and lights
Seven residents—Mary Lou and Gene Cochrane, Pam and Bob Colwell, Barb and Roger Myers, and Randy Thurman—met with WGIL this week at Rotary Park to express their objections.
“It was originally a passive neighborhood park,” said Roger Myers, a 32-year Spruce Avenue resident, emphasizing the park’s quiet, community-oriented nature. Pam Colwell, who has lived on Columbus Avenue for 22 years, added, “We feel pickleball is great … in a non-residential area.”
Residents unanimously cited noise as a primary concern, with Bob Colwell comparing the sound of pickleball to “six or seven houses roofing at once.”
Mary Lou Cochrane raised additional worries about property values, citing articles that suggest proximity to pickleball courts can decrease home values.
“Some say we’re complaining because it’s the old ‘not in my backyard,’” Mary Lou said. “Which is true—but people have to fight for their backyard.”
Barb Myers questioned the need for lights, noting, “I don’t know why lights are being considered if the park is only open from sunrise to sunset.” While Don Miles, Galesburg’s Director of Parks and Recreation, told WGIL that lighting installation depends on bid costs and would require council approval for any park hour changes, residents like Mary Lou remain skeptical, stating, “I don’t know if I even want the noise during the day.”
Lack of early communication fuels frustration
Residents expressed frustration over the city’s communication, learning of the proposal only through a WGIL article before the April Council meeting. “The way the city presented it was that we agreed to everything they said, and we didn’t,” Mary Lou Cochrane said.
Randy Thurman added, “These issues would have all come out if the city had done its due diligence and talked to the residents in the neighborhood.”
The group plans to attend Monday’s Council meeting and contact aldermen to voice their concerns.
Sixth Ward Alderman Greg Saul shares some resident concerns, particularly about parking.
“The problem I have with it is the location — I’m all for the pickleball courts,” Saul said. “Parking is my main concern.
“If the courts are full and you have 24 players and there are only 26 parking spots, where are people going to park?”
He suggested Ice House Park, a non-residential area near the Amtrak depot, as a better alternative due to its ample space and central location.
City addresses concerns
To address noise concerns, the city plans to incorporate landscaping and potential sound barrier screening on the east side of the courts. Miles also clarified that Rotary Park has not been officially classified as a “passive park,” despite resident perceptions, and is considered a regional park which include amenities like picnic shelters, splash pads, ballparks, restrooms and playgrounds.
In addition to Rotary, other regional parks in Galesburg are Kiwanis, H.T. Custer, and Lincoln parks. Miles said that Lake Storey Park is more of a destination park. The remaining smaller parks in Galesburg, approximately 20, would be considered neighborhood parks.
The $26,450 design contract with Farnsworth Group, Inc., approved in April, covers engineering, bidding, and construction oversight, with bids opened on Aug. 6. Construction is likely delayed until spring 2026 due to contractor schedules, with a projected two-month build time. The city aims to complement the six existing courts at Bateman Park, which are cracked but playable, and three indoor courts at Hawthorne Gym.
Community support vs. resident opposition
While some neighboring residents oppose the Rotary Park location, pickleball enthusiasts showed strong support at a recent council meeting, with players waving rackets and advocating for the courts’ economic potential. Sue Hulett, a Ward 1 resident, told the council, “The facility will not only serve the growing pickleball community here, but will enable Galesburg to host tournaments and bring visitors and revenue.”
However, Bob Colwell questioned the sport’s longevity, asking, “Five years from now, is pickleball going to be popular?”
Residents argue that the estimated $500,000 project cost benefits only a small group, with one noting, “The City is paying a half million dollars for maybe a hundred people to play pickleball?”
As the Council prepares to vote, residents say they want to protect their “peaceful park.”
“We love the park the way it is,” Barb Myers said.
