Pickleball has been making its mark across the country as an in recent years. And this summer, the net-and-paddle pastime made its long-awaited, permanent mark on Arapahoe County’s parks landscape.
completed work in June on a lighted, six-court outdoor pickleball facility at , 5150 S. Windermere St., in Englewood.
The fenced-in pickle-plex is the first dedicated outdoor space for the sport in South Suburban’s network of parks and recreation centers, according to Athletics Director Nicole Stehlik. The district offers at nearly all of its recreation centers, and has striping on select outdoor basketball and tennis courts and hockey rinks so they can be adapted, but Cornerstone’s courts were built for the game.
“We heard a lot of feedback from our customers that they wanted this kind of facility,” Stehlik said. “Itap just a growing trend nationwide.”
The district began work on the $635,000 project in July 2015, Manager of Planning Melissa Reese-Thacker said, with $250,000 coming from an grant. The district opened the six courts to drop-in play with a temporary surface in , but had to wait for the weather to warm up to put down a more permanent surface. The complex features two covered picnic tables, wind shelters for each court and lights that can put turned on until 11 p.m.
Some of the more than a dozen people who gathered at Cornerstone to play a few games on the new courts last week wondered what took South Suburban so long. The is Arvada has well over a dozen outdoor pickleball courts, and the in Lakewood added dedicated outdoor facilities in 2014.
“South Suburban has been very lax in building outdoor courts,” said Charlis Miller, and avid player who prefers outdoor courts to indoor because there is no glare from florescent lighting.
Bryan Hobbs played with Miller last week. The 78-year-old called the new pavilion “superb.” He noted there is plenty of space on the south side of Cornerstone Park and hopes South Suburban isn’t done building. The courts already have people lining up to use them some mornings, according to Hobbs.
“They’re excellent but they’re just not enough of them,” he said.
Pickleball is similar to tennis but played with paddles instead of rackets, a slower-moving plastic, Wiffle Ball-style ball and lower net. It’s set on a badminton-sized court and scored like pingpong: first player or doubles team to 11, win by 2.
Itap particularly popular with people older than 50, according to Eddie Kanoza, facility supervisor at the . It takes less of a toll on the body than other games, he said, and provides a reason for people to get together for some friendly competition.
“I think pickleball is a just a great opportunity for some of those individuals who were very active when they were younger but their body is maybe not responding the way it used to. They can continue playing those racket sports they may have played when they were young,” he said “The whole social aspect is very valuable.”
Sheridan started offering indoor pickleball in 2013, the first South Suburban facility to do so. Now, Kanoza said the game is available on three courts at Sheridan between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday every week. So far in 2016, 2,500 users have played pickleball there.
“I think there was definitely an interest,” he said of the need for outdoor facilities. “We have such beautiful weather here in Colorado.”
League of their ownSouth Suburban is launching a summer pickelball league at the courts at Cornerstone Park. The season will run July 12 through Sept. 1. It is open to men’s, women’s and co-ed doubles team with recreational and competitive levels. Leagues will play Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights beginning at 6. To register visit or call 303-798-7515.