My fellow residents and I are deeply committed to protecting wildlife, natural habitats, and the beauty of our surroundings in Aquarina. The proposal for a pickleball court(s) in our tranquil community is based on a wishlist survey that doesn't take into account the recent expansion of pickleball offerings at the nearby public South Beach Community Center. Those indoor and outdoor pickleball courts are located only 1 1/2 miles up A1A to cater to this sport's enthusiasts, making the need for a pickleball court in our private community debatable.

We ask for a thoughtful review of this proposal, including a comprehensive impact study on how the noise from pickleball will affect neighboring households within both a 500 foot aerial radius, and also including the high-rise Ocean Dunes buildings, native animal habitats, and our Audubon-rated golf course. Considering that pickleball sound levels within 100 feet of courts will usually be around 70 dBa , which is as loud as freeway traffic sound this is not a concern that should be taken lightly.

According to recent reports, published on Sept. 11, 2024 - properties near pickleball courts can experience different value changes based on their exact distance from the courts:

• Directly Adjacent Properties: Homes located right next to pickleball courts could see a 10-20% decline in property values due to noise pollution and traffic from players. This effects Blue Heron and Spoonbill communities directly.
• 1-2 Blocks Away: Properties located slightly farther, about 1-2 blocks from courts, may experience a 5-10% decrease in value. This includes homes in Egret Trace, parts of Cranes Point and Sandpiper Cove, Spoonbill, Osprey Villas and Les Villas. Ocean Dunes, because of its height would fit within this category.
• 3+ Blocks Away: Interestingly, homes located three or more blocks from the courts could see a 1-5% increase in value, benefiting from the convenience of nearby courts without the associated noise, receiving all the benefits with none of the defects. This includes River Oaks, Mantanilla Reef, The Hammocks, Marlin, Ocean Breeze, Sea Hawk, Hawks Nest and Maritime Hammocks. 

We'd like to underscore once more that the survey endorsing this proposition predates the expansion of pickleball offerings at the local facility. A more recent survey might yield different results given the recent upgrades. And since costs were not included in that survey - it renders the results less than useful for making decisions of a financial nature. How would they be funded, maintained, etc., when the county's offering is so inexpensive?

Our areas biodiversity is a treasure that once lost might never be regained. Which is why we urge you to thoughtfully consider what's at stake here and conduct a detailed impact study before taking this decision. Preserve the serenity and natural beauty of Aquarina for the people and the wildlife who call it home.

Please sign this petition and urge our ACSA board to thoroughly review this pickleball court proposal and put it to a community-wide vote before putting it into the annual budget. Make sure that the risks both to the quality of life for homeowners near the proposed site, as well as to our animal populations as well as the financial cost/benefits are considered far more clearly before any further actions are taken.