Pickleball continued from page 12 bors feel like they can’t spend time in their yards anymore because it’s simply too loud to be pleasant. “You came in with one quality of life...and then something new comes along and just makes things not as good as they were before. It’s obviously upsetting,” the resident says. Crance’s house backs up to the pickleball courts at Congress Park, but he loves the noisy activity. “I think it just depends on your own personal situation,” he says, “but for us, I mean, we’re four doors down from the pickleball courts, and there’s nothing I like to hear better when I go outside than pickleball being played.” Parks employees have an open invitation from the Congress Park pickleball commu- nity, Nelson says. He promises to provide a barbecue, a great time, and proof that the park needs additional courts. In the mean- time, he’s considered making improvements of his own, like buying a lighting system or portable windscreen to help keep the fun going over the winter. As for the noise, that comes with the game. Tennis may be quieter, but “they’re playing tennis,” Nelson points out. “Are they having fun?” Don’t miss the pickle boat Some Congress Park players cite Gates Tennis Center as an example of how to ef- Lavender Pickleball Club members appreciate a place to gather. He understands that the noise isn’t for everyone, though, and encourages players to be considerate. “Just know you are literally in somebody’s backyard, and be respectful of those people,” Crance urges. “Be conscious of what you’re doing, where you’re parking, and try not to have a negative impact on those people that are living there.” Rich Naha also lives by the Congress Park courts; he says he considers pickleball a net NOVEMBER 26 – JANUARY 2 SELECT EVENINGS fectively adapt to changing trends in recre- ation. According to manager Hitman, Gates expanded its pickleball offerings because the organization wants to serve as many people as possible, giving them something healthy and safe to do during the pandemic. “We could see the trend was happening, and we would rather be on the front end of trends and, you know, part of the trendset- ters, [than] on the back end,” Hitman says, “THERE’S NOTHING I LIKE TO HEAR BETTER WHEN I GO OUTSIDE THAN PICKLEBALL BEING PLAYED.” positive for the community but hopes the city will fi gure out a solution to the noise and parking problems. “Is there noise? Yes. Is parking an issue? Yes,” Naha says. “But it seems to be a very popular activity, so a little noise/parking is a small price to pay. We live in the city because we appreciate people congregating and enjoying Denver’s beautiful weather.” Both Crance and Naha endorse Parks and Rec’s plan to move the pickleball courts to the interior of Congress Park. Crance just wishes the department would build more than four rather than simply replace the existing courts. adding that Gates offers pickleball program- ming such as leagues and tournaments be- cause it recognizes that people can play free in Denver parks, and additional amenities keep them coming. Gates even has three pickleball pros. At first, Hitman wasn’t sure there were enough people pickling professionally to hire pros, but he soon found them. Now Gates is searching for more pros as it looks to expand its kids’ pickleball programming. Some ten- nis pros want to get certifi ed in pickleball instruction because it’s so fun, he adds. Hitman says that Gates was able to add courts and grow its Walk along a winding path glistening with lights that illuminate the Colorado countryside. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Get tickets and full details at botanicgardens.org C-470 & Wadsworth Blvd. PRESENTING SPONSOR SUPPORTING SPONSORS continued on page 16 15 westword.com | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | WESTWORD DECEMBER 2-8, 2021 LAVENDER PICKLEBALL CLUB
