Director Walcutt—keep the courts open later so hourly workers and working families get equal access.

Durham’s public courts should serve everyone—not just people free before 8 p.m. Early closures lock out hourly workers, parents juggling shifts, and many who play after a long day's work. We’re asking Durham Parks & Recreation, led by Director Wade Walcutt, to extend evening hours at Piney Wood so the community can play safely and legally later. 

Pickleball is not just a growing sport; it's an integral part of our lives, helping us maintain a balanced lifestyle, build community ties, and support mental and physical health. The previous 9:00 p.m. closing time, though earlier than all other regional pickleball facilities, allowed a greater diversity and breadth of community members to participate in evening games and strengthened our community bonds. 

What we're asking for:
- Keep the courts open to at least 9:00 p.m. 
- Establish open dialog with the pickleball community to collectively address any related challenges. There are solutions!

Please sign to tell Director Walcutt and DPR that we need to offer fair access to the Piney Wood courts. Read below for further information.

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Background and Rationale
In January of 2024, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Durham Parks and Recreation and the Durham community, the Piney Wood pickleball courts opened to the public.  

From then until July 1, 2025, the courts were available daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 7/1/25 the hours were shortened to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with DPR’s stated rationale as being “…the proximity of the courts to surrounding homes and the noise generated by the courts.” 

While the hundreds of players using the courts are grateful to have access to them, many active and aspiring players are frustrated and significantly affected by the change.  

Below are multiple reasons why the change in hours should be revisited and previous hours reinstated.

Why the Change is Unreasonable

Minimal Complaints

• In reviewing public records, it appears that a single individual is responsible for all documented complaints.

Durham’s Noise Ordinance and Thresholds Are at Odds with Pickleball Policies

• “Nighttime” under Durham’s noise ordinance is defined as 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.; these do not overlap with pickleball play hours.
• In the ordinance, during daytime and evening hours (8 a.m. to 11 p.m.) the noise limits are 60dB; in unofficial measurements, still at least 20 feet from the closest apartments, the peak noise level reached less than 50db, due in part to the insulating layer of trees.
• Durham’s policies apply only to “mechanically or electronically produced or amplified sound”; sports are not included. While the policy cites noise that is “unreasonably loud and disturbing,” pickleball is arguably neither.

Past and Current Policies Support the Longer Hours

• Prior DPR notices listed the hours as 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with lights available until 9:00; this clearly demonstrates its belief in the appropriateness of this schedule.
• Proximity to the apartments and sound levels have not changed since the courts opened, only the available hours have.
• DPR currently offers league play that extends to 8:30 or later, indicating a comfort with extending well beyond the 8 p.m. hours for public play.

The Cutoff is Inequitable, Hitting Wage/Hourly Workers Hardest

• Many workers finish work well after 6 p.m. and, after experiencing Durham’s average 23-minute commute, they are unable to initiate play due to the lack of meaningful play time. While anecdotal, it's appeared that many players who played during the prior schedule sadly are no longer able or choosing to do so.
• 27 percent of part-time/salary workers are on non-daytime schedules, with 14 percent on evening shifts (acc. to the Bureau of Labor Statistics), further restricting play among that population.

Piney Wood’s Hours Are Significantly Shorter than Others in the Area

• Ephesus Park, Chapel Hill: Dawn to 10 p.m.
• Bethesda Park, Durham: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Cary Tennis Park: Sunrise–11:00 p.m.
• McCrimmon Park, Cary: Sunrise to 10 p.m.
• Pleasant Park, Apex: 6:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m. year‑round
• Morrisville: 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.

Let's work together to bring fairness back to the courts and solve this challenge!