The Denver Tennis Park, a non-profit organization and tennis center dedicated to providing equitable access to tennis for youth across Denver, had a remarkable year in 2023. From impactful youth programming to a star-studded Raise a Racquet auction with tennis legend John McEnroe, as well as extensive community outreach efforts, 2023 was a year of significant achievements and milestones for the organization. Let's dive into some of the unforgettable memories and highlights that made 2023 a grand slam for the Denver Tennis Park!
Denver Tennis Park Programming Growth
In 2023, the organization witnessed tremendous growth in its youth programs both on-site at the DTP and offsite in the community. From January to December, we served over 4,300 youth in the Denver-metro area - that is 940 more youth compared to 2022 (talk about growth!). One of the pillars of the Denver Tennis Park's mission is to provide accessible tennis programming for the youth in the Denver community. Through generous donors, we are proud to have expanded our scholarship program to 49 recipients, and we're only getting bigger!
Furthermore, our adult programs saw huge increases in participation, along with new opportunities for DTP's adult members to create community and connect. The organization launched its inaugural DTP Means Business event in January 2023, providing an opportunity for people to not only play tennis, but also network and develop new professional relationships. The next DTP Means Business will be March 1st, and we look forward to seeing it grow even further.
Raise a Racquet Charity Bash with John McEnroe
A highlight that had both tennis fans and philanthropists buzzing was the Raise A Racquet Charity Bash in October, featuring none other than the legendary John McEnroe. As a special treat, the day before the Raise A Racquet event, McEnroe held a tennis clinic for a group of DTP youth players - an amazing opportunity for players and their families!
The event itself was a smashing success, not only in terms of raising $145,000 for the Denver Tennis Park's scholarship and community programming, but also for providing an unforgettable experience for attendees. The night ended with the tennis legend rocking out on stage with his band, The Johnny Smyth Band, for everyone to enjoy. McEnroe's presence added a touch of star power to the evening, creating a unique atmosphere that celebrated the sport of tennis while contributing to a worthy cause.
Community Outreach Efforts
In 2023, the Denver Tennis Park reinforced its commitment to the community through extensive outreach efforts. We expanded our outreach team to meet the growing demands for tennis in the community and developed a Community Advisory Council to help better understand the communities we serve. Understanding the importance of making tennis accessible to all, we collaborated with local DPS schools and other non-profit organizations such as Struggle of Love and Big Brothers Big Sisters to bring the joy of tennis to diverse groups of youth and their families. Advantage Kids! is a Denver Tennis Park program designed to introduce, cultivate, and sustain tennis in DPS elementary, middle, and high schools primarily located in under-invested neighborhoods in Denver. In 2023, we brought tennis programming to four schools in Montbello and Southwest Denver, reaching over 1,000 students in their gym classes. We're keeping the momentum running in 2024 - in January, we spent three weeks, four days a week, at Trevista at Horace Mann and we're currently working at Greenwood Academy!
Brand Development & Recognition
The tennis organization's branding underwent a major facelift in 2023. We updated the main Denver Tennis Park logo as a reflection of our commitment to inclusivity and collaboration with families, communities, and partner organizations for the advancement of youth development. As our community outreach efforts became a top priority leading into 2023, we developed a DTP Community logo to brand our community work and engage with neighborhood-based partners and families to ensure diversity and equity in tennis. And of course, a new brand comes with a redesigned website!
Additionally, the Denver Tennis Park received multiple awards and recognitions last year, including the USTA Colorado's Facility of the Year Award and USTA National's Premier Facility Designation. Among the community, we were awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from Ktone Cares Foundation, one of our leading community partners, in recognition of our efforts to make positive impacts on Denver communities and continue creating more accessible paths to the game of tennis.
As we bid farewell to 2023, the Denver Tennis Park can proudly reflect on a year filled with accomplishments, growth, and positive impact. With the unwavering support of the community and a commitment to its mission, the Denver Tennis Park is poised to continue making strides in promoting equitable access to tennis for youth in Denver in the years to come. Here's to another year of smashing successes on and off the court!