Lincoln Park’s Pickleball Expansion: Pickleball is rising in the Grand Valley, with new courts popping up to meet rising demand. The City of Grand Junction added 12 courts to Lincoln Park in 2024, and Fruita opened new courts near its recreation center. With tournaments, lessons, and growing participation, pickleball’s popularity keeps climbing.
Pickleball Popularity Spurs Expansion
Randee Bergen began playing pickleball at Lincoln Park 11 years ago when only four courts were available. Over time, the sport’s growth made it hard to find a court. “It got so crowded, you couldn’t get on the court really, so I quit,” Bergen said.
After a long break, Bergen returned last year to find 20 dedicated pickleball courts where tennis courts once stood. Now, she plays three days a week with a group of 12 friends. “It’s fun, and I like the social aspects of the sport,” she said.
New Courts Across Grand Valley
The City of Grand Junction boosted its number of courts from eight to 20 in 2024. Chipeta Golf Course also replaced tennis courts with eight pickleball courts. Fruita added four outdoor courts and has plans for eight more at Little Salt Wash Park, though that project is still several years away.
Pickleball’s growth also brings in revenue. In 2022, the city made $6,521 from pickleball activities, with $5,216 in expenses. In 2024, revenue jumped to $19,717, with expenses at $5,597.60. That left a net gain of $14,119.40. Even though most outdoor play is free and hard to track, tournaments and lessons provide ways to measure usage and income.
Balancing Pickleball and Tennis
To create the Lincoln Park pickleball complex, the city negotiated with the tennis community. A $2 million project moved four tennis courts from Lincoln Park to Canyon View Park, adding new LED lights and bringing the total tennis courts there to 12.
“The lighting was quite a large expense,” said Ken Sherbenou, Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Director. He added that the upgrades helped the tennis community support the change.
“So, that’s been a huge improvement to the tennis community and one that was really important for them being supportive of the conversion of the four (tennis) courts at Lincoln, and I think that project has been such a success.” – (Sherbenou)
Sherbenou said conflicts between pickleball and tennis players are common elsewhere but praised Grand Junction for finding a “positive-sum solution.” He said many tennis players eventually take up pickleball too.
Future Growth on the Horizon
Even more courts are on the way. The Grand Junction Community Recreation Center, set to open by mid-2026, will feature nine indoor pickleball courts. These courts will share space with basketball and volleyball but should meet demand, especially during weekday mornings.
“So, it’s been a really great way to achieve utilization through the middle of the workday, during the middle of the school day, for gyms and recreation centers. And we’re definitely gonna see that when our facility opens next year.” – (Sherbenou)
Pickleball also plays a role in economic development.
“It definitely has an impact for people deciding about where they want to live. There’s a lot of people that look at the pickleball structure and facilities before they decide to buy (a home) or take a trip.” – (Sherbenou)
Western Slope Pickleball Club President Jeffrey Smith agreed. “I moved here because of the courts,” Smith said. Club membership grew from under 300 in 2018 to 780 members today. Smith said that as soon as new courts opened at Lincoln Park, they were full. He believes Grand Junction will need even more courts soon.
News in Brief: Lincoln Park’s Pickleball Expansion
Pickleball’s popularity is growing fast in Grand Valley. Grand Junction expanded Lincoln Park to 20 courts in 2024. Fruita and Chipeta Golf Course added courts too. More indoor courts are coming in 2026. City leaders say the sport boosts community life and even attracts new residents.
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