Pensacola, Fla. — Some Navy Point residents are expressing strong opposition to the potential addition of pickleball courts in their neighborhood.
A developer who is currently working on townhomes along Gibbs Road is seeking county approval to incorporate pickleball courts into the project.
However, nearby residents are pushing back, concerned that this development could disrupt the peaceful and quiet environment they currently enjoy in Navy Point.
“We feel like if we don’t do something or say something now then they’re gonna pursue something else,” Resident Rhonda Eubanks said.
Pless Landing LLC is constructing townhomes on Gibbs Road, right across from Triangle Park.
The first concern of residents was where the pickleball courts would be located.
“We certainly hope it’s not at Triangle Park,” Resident Gary Biggs said. “That’s been a good place for our little Halloween thing, our little Christmas thing.”
The leasing office stated that if approved by the county, the pickleball courts would be constructed on the developer’s property. However, residents still have additional concerns regarding the project.
“The problem with it is the idea of the hours, the noise,” Eubanks said.
“Some of the noise yes,” Biggs said. “Traffic for sure, but we’re also concerned with what happens and if they do put it there, sadly enough with some of the other parks there’s been some problems.
Most of all they’re worried that if these courts are approved what could be next?
“My thing is if we don’t speak up now and say something, then they’re gonna pursue their building,” Eubanks said.
Eubanks is starting a petition against the courts and is gathering neighbors to be at a public meeting next week.
“I have had 1300 people respond in regards to it and I just started bringing it to the public last Thursday,” Eubanks said.
All in a fight to keep their neighborhood as nice and quiet as it’s been so far.
WEAR News contacted the developer to get a comment. As well as Mike Kohler, who is the commissioner for that area, but has not heard back yet.
