The Tampa Parks and Recreation Department is modifying additional facilities to accommodate pickleball, in response to increased demand. According to a recent statement from the City of Tampa, a basketball court on Davis Islands has been repainted to also function as a pickleball court.
The conversion of the Davis Islands court marks the beginning of a broader effort to expand pickleball facilities in Tampa. Upcoming projects include resurfacing and updating courts at Duran Park and Plymouth Park, where existing basketball courts will be modified to serve both basketball and pickleball users. These parks are part of the city's current inventory of 64 pickleball courts. With the planned additions, Tampa will have 59 outdoor and 9 indoor courts designated for the sport. According to city reports, local parks currently accommodate between 750 and 1,000 pickleball players each day.
"Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the country, and Florida is recognized as the No. 1 state for pickleball," the Parks and Recreation Manager Ted Fowler stated in recognizing Tampa's contribution to the trend. The city states that the new courts are intended to provide opportunities for skill development, support community use, and promote physical activity among residents, in a statement obtained by the City of Tampa.
Pickleball activity in Tampa continues during peak daytime temperatures, with matches taking place throughout the day. To address this, the Parks and Recreation Department installed a shade structure at Julian B Lane Riverfront Park to provide coverage for players. Multi-purpose courts are available for public use as the city expands access to pickleball facilities.
