New Mike Miley Courts: Grand Opening Feedback

New Mike Miley Courts: Grand Opening Review

What a week it’s been for pickleball lovers in Jefferson Parish! After covering the Soft Opening earlier this week, I made it a point to spend the entire day at the official ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Let me tell you, there’s nothing like seeing a plan come to life with real players, real challenges, and real community energy.

Grand Opening vs. Soft Opening: How It Played Out

At the soft opening, the vibe was more controlled. Players already familiar with the bucket system helped things run smoothly. But at the grand opening? Total energy boost, with a touch of chaos.

• 75 to 100 players filled all 18 buckets within minutes of opening.
• Rotations were slow at first, but players were patient, eager to learn, and willing to wait their turn.
• By 11:30 AM, the crowd thinned to around 25 players who kept the games rolling for hours.
• A second wave arrived around 4 PM, once again filling all the courts by early evening.

While it was incredible to see so many people show up, the ebb and flow of players highlighted one important lesson: the success of a grassroots, non-staffed facility relies heavily on player knowledge and ambassador availability.

Challenges Observed During the Day

Throughout the day, I noticed two key moments worth addressing:

1. Navigating the Lulls

During the mid-day lull, some players sat waiting without knowing how to jump in. One player even mentioned feeling like an outsider. It wasn’t intentional, most groups were simply locked into their games. But this is exactly where community awareness can make or break a player’s experience.

When I noticed this happening, I rang the bell and gave up my spot so he could jump in. It’s little actions like these that keep our community welcoming and inclusive.

2. The Need for Wind Screens and Better Backdrops

Player feedback was overwhelmingly positive about the court design, but two consistent concerns stood out:

• Wind Impact: Gusty conditions made it difficult to control the ball, especially for less experienced players.
• Visual Contrast: Players struggled to track the ball on the end courts due to a lack of visual contrast behind the baseline.

Adding dark wind screens along the outer fencing could be a great long-term solution to address both issues, reducing wind interference and providing a better visual backdrop to help players track the ball more easily.

That said, I want to be clear that this is simply a suggestion to enhance the player experience over time. It’s not an expectation for overnight changes. Jefferson Parish has done an incredible job bringing this facility to life, and this feedback is shared with the hope of continuing to build on what’s already a major community success. As players, we understand that improvements take time, and we’re grateful for what’s already been accomplished.

Player Feedback: What’s Working

Despite these small hurdles, the player feedback was largely positive:

• Wide court spacing makes for safer, more enjoyable play.
• Clear court markings and color contrast are easy on the eyes.
• The covered roof keeps players shaded and cool.

Players also appreciated the bucket system and skill-based court rotations, which you can read more about in our Soft Opening recap.

Looking Ahead: Making the Most of the New Mike Miley Courts

With the grand opening behind us, the true test begins. Will players continue to show up and self-manage the bucket system? Will ambassadors remain proactive in welcoming new faces?

Personally, I believe this facility has the potential to become the gold standard for community-driven pickleball in the region. But it will take ongoing effort from everyone, players, ambassadors, and parish leaders alike.

FAQ: Common Questions About the New Mike Miley Courts

Why were the rotations a bit slow at the grand opening?

Simply put, high turnout. Over 100 players tried to get games going at once, which caused delays. Expect smoother play as attendance normalizes in the coming weeks.

Are these courts open to the public?

Yes! All 9 covered courts are free and open daily from 8 AM to 9 PM.

Can I reserve a court?

Not yet. But the original four courts on Saints Drive will be available for reservation in about two weeks.

What’s the best time to find open courts?

Mid day to afternoon seem to be the best window right now. Mid-day tends to be quieter as players take lunch breaks.

Final Thoughts on the New Mike Miley Pickleball Courts

I want to personally thank Jefferson Parish and the entire JPRD team for bringing this project to life. You’ve given us a facility that meets real community needs.

As we move forward, I encourage all of us, whether you’re a regular or just visiting for the first time, to stay mindful of the people around us. It’s easy to get caught up in your own games and forget that someone new might be standing on the sidelines, unsure of how to jump in. Taking just a moment to smile, say hello, or invite them into the next rotation can make a huge difference.

Promoting this inclusive and welcoming environment is key to truly spreading the spirit of pickleball. After all, the game isn’t just about the points we score, it’s about the people we meet along the way.

Let’s continue improving this amazing facility together, one game, one player, and one bucket at a time.

See you on the courts!

Follow-Up: Testing Glasses and Night Play at Miley

I went to play at the new Miley complex about 9:00 AM yesterday morning (Mother’s Day) with my wife and son. I wanted to test the theory that my glasses could be contributing to the glare and occasionally losing sight of the ball. The one game that I did play without pickleball glasses, I still experienced the glare and lost sight of the ball a few times.

Then I tried playing while wearing my CRBN Pivot Pickleball Glasses. The lenses enhanced the contrast needed to track the ball accurately. If you haven’t tried pickleball glasses that make the ball stand out more (visual pop), I’d suggest trying these or the Brioti Focos Pickleball Glasses. Both of these glasses make the ball “pop,” enhancing visibility and making it easier to track. This is particularly useful when playing on courts 1 through 3 or 7 through 9 where there is little contrast at the baseline backgrounds, and the glare is more prevalent.

I played until about 1:00 PM on Mother’s Day (yesterday), then took a break for lunch. I couldn’t pull another all-day pickleball session without eating again. But I did return around 6:00 PM to experience the courts at night. After the sun goes down and the lights come on, the pickleball complex is beautiful. The lighting is great, the covering provided a cool feeling, and the atmosphere was excellent. There were about 65 players present from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and court rotations were relatively quick using the skill bucket system. I have a feeling that the courts will be packed every night after the sun goes down.

There were quite a few items left behind at the end of the night (glasses, thermoses, braces, etc.). I’ll be donating a container to store lost and found items, as this seems to be happening frequently. In the meantime, a quick reminder, before you leave, take a moment to double-check your bag and surrounding area to make sure you have all of your belongings. Let’s also all do our part to keep the New Mike Miley Courts clean and organized for everyone to enjoy.