by Mark Smiley
From left to right: Storm Gloor, Glendale Mayor Pro-Tem; Mike Dunafon, Glendale Mayor; Joe Haskins, Glendale Chief of Police; and Josh Bertrand, Glendale Deputy City Manager.
Barret O’Brien, Chamber Board Member, left, and Joe Haskins, Glendale Chief of Police.
From left to right: Mayor Pro-Tem Storm Gloor; Mayor Mike Dunafon; Chuck Line, Glendale City Manager; Josh Bertrand, Glendale Deputy City Manager; and Jeff Allen, Glendale Chamber COO, cut the pickle to officially open the new outdoor pickleball courts in Glendale.
The new pickleball courts are now available to play on in Glendale Park.
On October 24, 2023, the City of Glendale unveiled its new pickleball courts at the new Glendale Park, formerly known as Mir Park. With the recent closing of the outdoor courts at Eisenhower Park and Congress Park in Denver, the metro area was in need of another option for outdoor pickleball.
Under the Leadership of Mayor Mike Dunafon and the Glendale City Council, the City of Glendale has partnered with Arapahoe County Open Space Grant Program in 2023 to create the Glendale Park Phase One park improvements and usher in a new era of recreation in Glendale.
While the newly dedicated pickleball courts may be the main attraction, there are several important additional improve
ments which park patrons will appreciate. Working with Chief Joe Haskins and City of Glendale Police Department, the City applied principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design to make improvements in the park. These park safety improvements include new site lighting and new “Portlandloo’s” stand-alone toilets which address common public bathroom concerns.
Also, a new picnic pavilion will be available to grab a bite to eat while watching the light-hearted activities on either the pickleball court or on the playground. Going forward, Ken LeCrone, Finance Director for the City of Glendale, has secured an open space grant from Arapahoe County for Phase Two improvements in 2024.
The Phase Two improvements will include improvements to stormwater drainage and the addition of a new dog run to the north side of the park,” said Josh Bertrand, Deputy City Manager, City of Glendale. “Patrick Carroll, Chris Roozing, and the Public Works team will continue working with our valuable partners, Matt Wilgenbusch with EmDub Designs, and ECI Site Construction Management, to complete phase two of the project.”
The work is expected to be completed by the end of Summer 2024. Glendale Park is located at 560 S. Elm Street in Glendale. Visit www.glendale.co.us for more information.