Tampa’s Pickleball Court Expansion: The City of Tampa has added two new outdoor pickleball courts by turning an old basketball court on Davis Islands into a space for both sports. The court, located at 155 Columbia Drive, is open on a first-come, first-served basis. This change supports the growing number of people playing pickleball in Tampa and across Florida.
City crews recently finished work to repaint and resurface the court. This allowed them to mark the space for basketball and pickleball use. The goal is to give local players more places to enjoy the game without removing other sports.
Pickleball’s fast rise in Florida
Pickleball is growing fast in the U.S., and Florida leads the way. According to Ted Fowler, who works as Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Manager, the city is proud to be part of that movement.
“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the country, and Florida is recognized as the No. 1 state for pickleball. Tampa is a big part of that. We have a lot of passionate players, and the Parks and Recreation Department wants to ensure they have the spaces they need to keep developing their skills, fostering relationships, and continuing to live active lifestyles.” – (Fowler)
Tampa now has 64 pickleball courts, with 55 of them outdoors. More courts are being planned in the months ahead. Resurfacing work is already scheduled at Duran Park and Plymouth Park. These projects will increase the total number of outdoor courts to 59.
Busy courts and improvements ahead
Every day, around 750 to 1,000 players use the city’s courts. Some parks, like Julian B Lane Riverfront Park and Macfarlane Park, are especially busy. Even during hot days, players still come out for games.
To help with the heat, the city has added new shade structures at Julian B Lane Riverfront Park. These coverings make it easier for players to rest between games and enjoy longer playing time.
Ted Fowler said the city is also following a national trend by using shared-use courts and asking players to bring their nets. This helps Tampa provide more pickleball space without building entirely new courts.
What this means for the community
As more people take up pickleball, Tampa continues to look for ways to give them safe and fun places to play. The new courts on Davis Islands and the planned updates at other parks show that the city is listening to players and working to meet demand.
The sport offers a fun way to stay active, meet others, and enjoy time outdoors. With more changes coming, Tampa is expected to remain a top place for pickleball in Florida.
News in Brief: Tampa’s Pickleball Court Expansion
Tampa added two new pickleball courts by updating a basketball court on Davis Islands. This brings the city’s total to 64 courts. With thousands of players each week, Tampa is improving more parks and adding shade and shared-use spaces to support the growing demand for pickleball.
ALSO READ: Lions Park Set for Dramatic Makeover: 12 Pickleball Courts Could Replace Community Center