(PALMER LAKE, Colo.) — A passion for pickleball is bringing a community together in El Paso County. People in the Palmer Lake area wanted a pickleball court, so they found a way to make it happen. The courts opened for the first time this week, and are free for anyone to use. Bright and early on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, you'll find a fun-loving group of "pickleballers" at Palmer Lake. "Two days ago when we first opened these, the courts were full and people were waiting in line," said Jane Fredman, an Awake Palmer Lake Volunteer. Awake Palmer Lake is a community led non-profit, that works to improve the area through fundraising. They wanted a pickleball court, so they found grant funding to make it happen. "Pickleball is known to be the fastest growing sport in the United States," said Fredman. "A lot of older adults face social isolation, and this is a wonderful way to get out, and meet new people and have some fun." The excitement to play on the freshly poured pavement Wednesday morning was palpable. "I think it's awesome, they're amazing, and I just found out that they're gonna be open all winter long, just locked down when it's icy. So, I guess I'll wear my ski clothes out here, I don't know," laughed Pam Camilliere, a Palmer Lake local. They're not stopping at just pickleball--Awake Palmer Lake is hosting a .5k on Sunday, Sept. 29, to raise money for more projects like this one. "We want to perhaps improve the baseball diamond area, and just keep improving it because there is a little bit of a lack of public recreational amenities in the Northern El Paso County Area," said Fredman. The .5k race is exactly what it sounds like... a short and sweet several hundred yards. "People dress up in costumes, and at the halfway point they get a free doughnut," said Fredman. You can find signup information for the .5K by clicking here. "It's a lot of fun. It's way too far a distance though," teased Gene Huismann, a Palmer Lake Local who's done the .5K before. "The doughnut in the middle saved me though."