Pickleball in Colorado’s public parks — Too much racket for a public space?

Pickleball: Too much racket in the neighborhood?

Re: “City crackdowns irk enthusiasts,” April 6 news story

Most of us know what NIMBY stands for: not in my backyard. For example, a NIMBY might support affordable housing as a concept, but would strongly oppose a new apartment complex next door. But recently, there was another pathetic example of NIMBYism: The folks who live near Congress Park got pickleball banned.

Look – I like pickleball, but I’m hardly a superfan. This isn’t really about pickleball. It is about a tiny minority of people in a wealthy neighborhood imposing their will on the rest of the city by complaining that people are using a public space.

Congress Park is a public park. We’re lucky to live in a city that has public spaces. The point of a public park is to foster community and give residents a place to gather and have fun. In my opinion, many cities are dying because people like those around Congress Park’s pickleball courts don’t seem to like that people enjoy public spaces. Because they’re minorly “inconvenienced,” they’re taking away everyone else’s fun.

Sure, the sound of the ball hitting a pickleball racket is a little annoying. But no one can credibly say that it’s loud. Maybe there have been instances where they’re playing past the time they’re supposed to. That’s a reasonable complaint and they should stop. But the whole thing being shut down is absurd.

The City of Denver has set a ridiculous precedent: caving to the tyranny of a tiny wealthy minority at the expense of everyone else. All we want is public places to have fun. Is that so terrible?

Ross Sherman, Denver

I believe neighbors should have a say in curbing constant noise in their vicinities. We live near industry and forced them to close the doors as they worked after years of listening to metal grinding during the daylight hours.

Considering Centennial has placed a moratorium on pickleball, might Cherry Creek State Park consider shutting down their shooting range? Since most times I’ve biked, hiked, and kayaked in the park, I constantly hear the pock-pock-pock of guns truing their targets.

Let’s cut back on all the noise pollution.

J. Michael Thornton, Denver

Trump case will be up to the jurors

Let me remind everyone that the pending New York case vs. Donald Trump will be decided by 12 independent jurors, approved by both the prosecution and defense. It is their decision that is the only one that counts – not yours or mine, the media, Congress or the president. Perhaps we should keep this in mind in all cases.

Vic Viola, Golden

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