City Celebrates Tennis and Pickleball at the new Bear Valley Courts

Published on October 15, 2021

To celebrate a full summer of use at the new Bear Valley Park tennis and pickleball courts, Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Councilman Kevin Flynn and other city officials gathered today to hold a community event at the renovated facility.

Bear Valley was consistently one of the most utilized tennis facilities in southwest Denver, but the court surface had significantly deteriorated over the years. The previous court surface was too worn down to successfully repair, but thanks to Denver voters and a $1.8 million investment from the Elevate Denver Bond Program, the previous six asphalt tennis courts were replaced with new concrete courts, which have a 40-year life span. Other improvements included better posts and netting, fencing and lighting.

“The Bear Valley Park project is a great example of how collaboration between the City and County of Denver and local community members can produce a product that benefits everyone,” said Mayor Hancock. “We’re committed to maintaining key public facilities across Denver and are grateful that voters approve programs like Elevate Denver to make that possible.”

“Denver Parks and Recreation is pleased to be able to contribute additional funds to meet the community request for pickleball courts,” said Happy Haynes, Executive Director of Denver Parks and Recreation. “We thank the citizens of Denver who approved the Elevate Denver Bond Program and the community members who shared their opinions and ideas for the improvements.”

During the project’s community outreach phase, city representatives heard from a dedicated group of community members that wanted pickleball courts to be added to the park. The city identified another half million in funding for the construction of four pickleball courts just south of the tennis courts. Construction at the park began in 2020 and the courts officially opened to the public in May 2021, just in time for summer.

“Southwest Denver residents care deeply about improving neighborhood wellness and maintaining a vibrant community. Voters demonstrate that care by consistently advocating for projects that are important to us,” said District 2 Denver City Councilman Kevin Flynn. “Neighbors are now reaping the rewards of that advocacy by getting out and using these new courts. The park has been bustling with long-time tennis enthusiasts as well as many newcomers to the tennis or pickleball.”