Quiet Pickleball Returns to Eisenhower Park: Pickleball has made a comeback at Denver’s Eisenhower Park after being shut down for over a year due to noise complaints. The courts are now open under a new pilot program requiring players to use quiet, foam pickleballs to reduce noise levels.
New Noise-Reducing Equipment Introduced
Since late October, Denver Parks & Recreation has tested the GAMMA Librarian foam ball at Eisenhower Park. This ball is quieter than traditional pickleballs, addressing concerns from nearby residents. Players can bring their own foam balls or borrow them for free from the recreation center.
The quiet ball solution emerged after meetings between pickleball groups and the community.
“We had a lot of meetings with pickleball organizations and the community, and we came to learn about these new, quiet pickleball. And so, we’re always willing to test things out. That’s why this is a pilot,” (Stephanie Figueroa of Denver Parks & Recreation).
Court Monitoring and Noise Complaints
To ensure compliance, the courts will have noise levels monitored. If violations occur, the city could close the courts again or issue fines to repeat offenders. So far, no noise complaints related to pickleball have been reported since the pilot program began.
The foam balls were introduced after they became available for purchase in 2024. While the solution is temporary, it is seen as a promising way to balance recreational use and neighborhood concerns.
Future Plans for Quiet Pickleball
Denver Parks & Recreation will assess the program’s success as court usage increases with warmer weather.
“If it goes well, then hopefully this is something that we can expand,” (Stephanie Figueroa).
The pilot program reflects the city’s commitment to finding innovative ways to make pickleball accessible while addressing community concerns.
News in Brief: Quiet Pickleball Returns to Eisenhower Park
Pickleball returns to Denver’s Eisenhower Park under a pilot program requiring quiet, foam balls to address noise complaints. Denver Parks & Recreation introduced the GAMMA Librarian foam ball, tested since October, to reduce sound levels. The program includes monitoring for compliance and aims to balance recreational use with neighborhood concerns, with potential expansion if successful.
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