12/2/25 Update: Thank you to all 85 signers of our Waneka Lake Pickleball Court Petition. We only need 15 to reach 100, which is our minimum goal before approaching Lafayette City Council. Please invite others in your PB circles to join our effort to preserve the health and safety of those of us who play, spectate, and circle Waneka Lake.

Waneka Lake Pickleball Enthusiasts:  Please join us in supporting this initiative by signing this petition to the Lafayette City Council to approve the addition of a covered bench and to cover the current bench at Waneka Lake Pickleball Courts. Your signature will help us make our case to the City Council and move towards a safter, healthier pickleball environment on these popular dedicated pickleball courts.

Dear Lafayette City Council,

We truly appreciate the city's investment in creating and maintaining the 4 dedicated pickleball courts and permanent nets at Waneka Lake. As pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S. for the fourth year in a row, these dedicated, fenced courts attract residents of Lafayette and beyond all year round.

However, for players, spectators and those who use the Waneka Lake path, the current lack of covered benches presents both significant health and safety problems. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, over-exposure to UV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer, and shade structures are a recommended measure for prevention. While using UV protection like sunscreen and caps are are essential parts of being outdoors in Colorado, by providing covered bench protection, the city can promote enjoyment of our sport at Waneka Lake without unnecessary risks in and around the courts. On average, we play for 2 hours during each outing and can wait up to 15 minutes to rotate in on busy weekends.

Currently, the only structural option to prevent sun and weather exposure at these city courts is to stand along the Waneka Lake bike and walking path. This is not safe for players and people and pets who walk and bike along the path. When a resident player volunteered to put up a portable shade this past year, city park maintenance workers removed it, presumably because there was a liability issue. 

We are petitioning the Lafayette City Council with a request to agree to install at least one additional bench that is covered, and to cover the current bench as soon as feasible. With sunny winter days, these courts are active all year long.

The covered court bench proposed is 8' with a 10' awing, can accommodate up to 8 players who are waiting to rotate in, as well as spectators, and retails for $3,499. Lafayette's Great Bark Dog Park has 4 covered benches as well as a gazebo with benches to protect pet parents and their pets. Why shouldn't the same or more players and spectators have the same protection? Erie Community Center's pickleball courts have had a covered bench for several years.

The Waneka Lake Pickleball Community will host a fundraiser if tax dollars aren't sufficient to meet this request.

Thank you for your consideration of this petition and request. We are happy to work with you to expedite this solution to a very real problem in our community.