Here’s Where You Can Play Pickleball in Denver Now That Congress Park Courts Are Closed
Westword APRIL 25, 2023 6:00AM
On April 2, the last smacks of pickleball rackets rang out over Congress Park — one of Denver’s most popular places to play the game. The Department of Parks & Recreation had decided to shutter its four courts there because of conflicts with neighbors over parking and noise, nixing plans to move them away from homes and permanently ending play of the sport.
Denver’s action followed a decision in Centennial to place a moratorium on new construction of pickleball courts within 500 feet of homes. Although Denver hasn’t made a move to follow suit, Scott Gilmore, deputy executive director of Parks & Recreation, says that the department is considering how far pickleball needs to be from homes.
The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment is revising the city’s noise ordinance, and at two meetings earlier this month, city officials asked residents to share their thoughts on how recreation, including pickleball, should play into the revision.
The future regulation of pickleball in Denver may be up in the air, but so is spring. And as the weather warms, there are still plenty of places to play the beloved sport in metro Denver, including other offerings from Denver Parks & Recreation.
