Our Story
It all started with a pandemic, some slippery Amazon court tape, and a street full of stir-crazy neighbors.
Back in the height of COVID, Brant and I (hi!) were doing what everyone else was doing—trying not to lose it. We live in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood, and one day we wandered down the street where our neighbors had slapped some court tape onto the pavement (spoiler: it barely stuck). We jumped in—no idea what we were doing—but we were instantly hooked. It wasn’t about skill; it was about fun, laughter, and that unexpected magic of connecting with people outside… six feet apart, of course.
The court was uneven, the curbs were tight, and the trees were in play—but we didn’t care. It was glorious. The group started small, but it grew fast. Some days, you literally couldn’t drive down our street—we had it blocked off for hours. It was chaos. It was community. And just like that, the Street Crew was born.
Once the world reopened, we weren’t ready to stop. But the closest indoor pickleball spot was 40 minutes away. For a year, we joked about who was going to be crazy enough to open something nearby. Eventually, we raised our hands and said, “Fine, we’ll do it.”
Finding a location wasn’t exactly easy—we needed high ceilings, good column spacing, and something that didn’t destroy our already bonkers schedule (we’ve got three boys in sports and full-time jobs). But then, the universe delivered: a spot just three minutes from our house.
Mile Hi Pickleball was built with the same spirit as those street games—fun, welcoming, a little chaotic, and full of heart. We created this place for Central Park and Northeast Denver: somewhere adults can show up, play, laugh, move, and not take themselves too seriously. Whether you’re brand new or a total pickleball junkie, we just want you to feel the vibe.
And the original Street Crew? Their faces are up on our lobby wall—because this whole thing started with them. And a little bit of Amazon tape.
Come join the crew.
—Tricia Houston, Owner
Our Instructors
Karen Mishkin – Staff Instructor
Karen is a former Division I soccer star who now pours that same fire into pickleball! She’s an avid 4.3+ player who loves breaking things down, building confidence, and keeping every session high-energy and fun. When she’s not on the court coaching or competing, you’ll find her hanging out with her husband Ben and their daughter Liliana.
Jill Phillips – Staff Instructor
Jill is a former tennis coach who got hooked on pickleball in 2021 and never looked back! Now a PPR-Certified coach, she’s all about helping players feel confident, relaxed, and totally in love with the game. You’ll hear her say almost daily, “I love teaching pickleball!”—and she means it.
Her 30 years as a middle school teacher show up in her incredible patience, positive attitude and upbeat energy are contagious, and she especially loves welcoming brand-new players into the addicting world of pickleball and watching them grow. When she’s not on the court, you’ll often find her hanging with her dog and her two grown boys.
Patrick Wilhelm – Seasonal Instructor
Patrick was born and raised in Salem, Oregon. He has played pickleball for over 4 years and loves how the sport has evolved; he is a creative thinker in player development and strategy. He previously competed in 5.0+ tournaments both locally and nationally and now is solely dedicated to coaching. When not playing or coaching Patrick enjoys trying new restaurants, watching Nuggets or Broncos, and nerding out about geography.
