The fastest growing sport in America for three years running, Pickleball has taken the world by storm – and for good reason. Not only is pickleball fun and easy to learn, but it also prioritizes hand-eye coordination and agility without putting too much stress on your joints. This means people of all ages, from kids to seniors, can enjoy a round of pickleball together. A cross between ping pong, badminton, and tennis, pickleball was invented by a band of merry vacationers in Bainbridge Island, Washington, back in the 60s.

There are more than 10,000 places to play pickleball across the US, but there are an estimated 36.5 million pickleball players in the country, too. Competition for pickleball courts might be stiff, especially as this popular game continues to grow. If you’re looking for a place to play pickleball nearby then look no further than Volley Park at the northeastern side of Brighton Crossings.

Learn the Rules of Pickleball

Before you come to Brighton Crossings, or anywhere in Colorado, to play pickleball, it’s important to know some of the rules. You’ll likely meet a friendly fellow player who will be happy to teach you, but here are the basics:

• Each point begins with an underhand serve. This serve must be directed at your diagonal opponent, and it’s intended to put the ball into play (not to earn an aggressive point, like in tennis).
• Clear the kitchen! The kitchen is a “non-volley zone” on either side of the net where players can’t step and balls can’t land. (There are some exceptions to this rule.)
• Gameplay continues until “a fault.” Faults include a shot hit out of bounds, a shot hit into the net, or a shot that lands in the kitchen. Whoever committed the fault, the opposing team earns a point.
• Gameplay continues until a team has 11 points and wins by two points. So, gameplay can continue long after a team gets 11 points, if their opponent continues to stay just one point behind!

There are a few more nuances to pickleball. Find a full explanation of gameplay on Pickleheads.com.

Play Pickleball at Brighton Crossings

There are more than 300 pickleball courts in Colorado, one of which is located conveniently at Brighton Crossings’ Volley Park. Volley Park is easy to find, just northeast of Padilla Elementary School beyond the greenbelt and canal.

While the pickleball court might be what brings you to this impressive park, you’ll find plenty of other reasons to stay.

Take a break from your pickleball and relax in the shaded picnic areas, or rent a BBQ grill and make a summer day of it while the kids run around in the expansive, grassy lawn. Break up your pickleball tournament with Volley Park’s pre-installed can jam and cornhole – you provide the frisbee and bean bags, everything else you need is there. You’ll also find tennis and bocce courts – everything you need for a full day of play!

Volley Park is designed to bring out the kid in all of us, which is really the purpose of pickleball, too. Whether you’re brand new to the sport, or a seasoned veteran, the pickleball court at Brighton Crossings is ready for you. Come enjoy a sunny day of game play at Volley Park.

Get your bearings on Volley Park and the rest of the perfectly-planned amenities at Brighton Crossings by taking a tour of the community. Come find us, and come find your new home here.