The city of Durango’s first outdoor pickleball courts at Schneider Park are set to open for play.
A city news release published Friday says for the opening day, the six courts will be open for first come, first served play between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
The new addition will have Durango finally join the ranks of Cortez, Farmington, Pagosa Springs and other regional cities with outdoor pickleball amenities already in place, much to the joy of players who have vocally advocated for City Council to support the fastest growing sport in the United States.
The city currently accommodates indoor matches at the Durango Community Recreation Center.
“I am so excited that our first-ever pickleball courts will be open for business at Schneider Park,” Durango Mayor Jessika Buell said in the release. “In addition to your Animas River Trail walks, mountain biking excursions, and river trips down the Animas; add into your outdoor and active options some dinking, digging, and drop shots.”
She said the pickleball courts are a great addition for Durango’s “active, multi-generational community.”
In August 2023, when City Council approved funding to build the courts, Buell echoed comments made by the Durango Financial Advisory Board by noting the project is about more than just pickleball, adding it serves the city’s goal of fostering a community for both the young and old.
“It’s also a revitalization of that park. It is so close to downtown and I’m super excited, hopefully, to see that come to life and see what that park can be,” she said then.
Stephen Crandall, president of the Southwest Colorado Pickleball Association, advocated to City Council for the courts on behalf of the association and the greater pickleball community.
He previously told City Council that life in Durango is about outdoor access in the forms of “hiking, biking, climbing and so forth,” and pickleball would be a strong addition to Schneider Park, changing its character for the better.
“We believe the project will integrate Schneider Park into the community and downtown, making it a safer and busier park,” he said. “It will be wonderful to see this lovely park, which is immediately adjacent to the busy river trail, to be more fully utilized by locals and out of town guests.”
Crandall told The Herald on Saturday that the whole association is thrilled the courts are finally opening.
“We really appreciate all the support from the city council, and equally importantly, all of the support and the professionalism from the Parks and Rec Department who have coordinated the construction,” he said. “And if you've been down to see the courts, it just looks spectacular.”
He said members are “super grateful” because the new outdoor courts will more than double the amount of play space in the city, accounting for the courts at the recreation center.
Construction of the courts started in September 2023, funded by a $1,009,127 appropriation from the city’s 2005 half-cent sales tax for parks, open space and trails projects, according to the city.
After opening day, the courts will open to first-come, first-served play from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. From 1 p.m. onward, players with reservations will get priority on the courts over those without reservations, the release says.
The courts will close at sunset daily.
Once the courts open to the public, players will be able to reserve the courts for $2 per hour for each court online at durangorecreation.com. Reservations can be made up to 10 days in advance.
Signage, court rules and play guidelines will be posted at the courts.
The release says a formal grand opening is planned for the near future.
Schneider Park, 950 Roosa Ave., also received other upgrades, including “a new swing set, picnic tables, artistic bike racks and bench, shade structure, Animas River Trail lighting, and beautiful landscaping,” according to the city.
cburney@durangoherald.com
