Pickleball El Paso Association (PEPA): Advocacy in Action

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Founded in November 2021, PEPA emerged from a critical need to unite a scattered community of local pickleball enthusiasts. The association’s core mission is to secure courts and playing time at recreational facilities and ensure the sport is accessible to everyone in El Paso. In August 2022, PEPA formally achieved 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

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When PEPA launched, players in El Paso were limited to shared, indoor, multi-use basketball courts with narrow weekday morning hours. This schedule effectively excluded working professionals, students, and those with daytime commitments.

 

PEPA Advocacy & Impact Timeline

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• 2021: City Representatives and Parks and Recreation Department added permanent pickleball court lines to outdoor tennis courts, opening up evening and weekend accessibility.

• July 2022: PEPA successfully campaigned to secure permanent pickleball courts in the master plan for the new Mary Frances Keisling Park, off of Upper Valley Road.

• November 2022: The region’s first four dedicated public courts were opened at Ascarate Park following a targeted pitch to El Paso County by PEPA founder Jamie Fisher.

• March 2025: Collaborated with the Sun Bowl Association to host El Paso's first divisional pickleball tournament at Eastwood High School.

• April 2025: Expanded city access with six new dedicated courts at Skyline Park, with wind screens donated directly by PEPA.

• August 2026 (Current Focus): Actively lobbying for an increased number of dedicated courts within the upcoming Ascarate Park redesign plans.