A $300,000 conversion of the well-worn tennis/pickleball courts at Marshdale to eight freshly refurbished dedicated pickleball courts was approved by the Evergreen Park and Recreation board last week.

The courts may remain playable in May with the beginning of concrete work, but they will be fully closed for six to eight weeks starting in June. EPRD Executive Director Cory Vander Veen and Evergreen Pickleball Club President Bob Kerr discussed possibilities and plans for alternate places to play during a March 4 meeting.

Cory said the tennis courts at Wulf Recreation Center could be lined for at least eight pickleball courts. “That makes a huge difference, that really does,” Bob said, offering the club’s help in striping the courts for pickleball. Cory said EPRD could investigate various methods of designating times for pickleball and tennis play.

“We talked about increased gym use, too,” Cory said. He suggested polling EPC members to see if they would be interested in 7 a.m. play on Saturdays and Sundays. Bob argued for use of the gym for pickleball when no basketball players show up, or at least letting half the gym be used for pickleball under those circumstances.

A third option is Evergreen Middle School, whose neglected tennis courts were refurbished under the direction of EPC member Al Buenning last summer. Play proceeded for a few weeks on the improved courts until EMS rescinded permission for their use. Cory has been talking with the EMS principal about renewed play there this summer. Chances seem good, and EPRD may move the four nicer nets from Marshdale to the middle school.

Another spot where Evergreen pickleballers play is The Wild Game in Bergen Park, paying $25 each per season. The two courts need some work and drainage requirements mean they will never be flat.

At Marshdale, the existing slab will be resurfaced, the current exterior fencing will be replaced and a permanent 3.5-foot divider fence will run east to west with four courts on either side. The divider cannot be higher because new poles can’t be set into the concrete of the existing slab. Exterior fences will be 8 feet high with 7-foot improved windscreens.

Temporary fencing from north to south with four courts on either side will be given a trial run.

Concrete sidewalks will be laid around the courts, with a gravel walkway probable on the north side. There will be gates on all four sides.

The east and west sides of the courts will each have a concrete seating area of about 10 feet by 20 feet. The EPRD board has asked our club to consider raising funds for benches and shade structures. Bob Kerr indicated that would be discussed at the April 3 EPC board meeting.

The color scheme for the resurfaced Marshdale courts

Jim Crane Wins National Deaf Pickleball Men’s 4.0 Singles Title

Evergreen’s own Jim Crane won the 4.0 singles event at the 2023 National Deaf Pickleball Tournament in Gilbert, Ariz.. The tournament drew 265 players in November.

“I truly have to thank the Evergreen Pickleball community because I started playing pickleball in 2021 at the Wulf rec center,” Jim said. “I've absolutely enjoyed playing with y'all at Marshdale and Wulf center and I always look forward to playing with you guys when time allows me!

“Plus, I've pretty much never played anywhere else so for me, a win is a win for the Evergreen team! Thanks to y'all!”

Jim won all six of his games in singles competition for the title. He placed fourth in men’s doubles (3.5) and also played mixed doubles (3.5).

Two of Our Own Place at Broadmoor Tournament

Judy Black and Nancy Hughes participated in the Broadmoor Women’s Doubles Picklebee Tournament in Colorado Springs March1-3 and took third place out of 16 teams in the 3.2-3.5 skill level.

“It was a fun tournament with lots of great competition but more importantly great ladies,” Nancy said. “We ended up third out of 16 teams. Respectable, I think.”

More like awesome.

Marshdale Makeover to Start in May