Pinellas Park is about to cut the ribbon on its newest playing field playground, with Sprowls Horizon Sports Park set for an official opening next Saturday and a full weekend of games, music and family-friendly activities. The city’s latest sports complex brings tournament-grade fields, a community plaza and a revamped outdoor ball-hockey rink to a part of town that has been quietly lining itself up for more youth tournaments.
Grand opening weekend
The city-led ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. next Saturday, with festival-style programming running into Sunday, according to the City of Pinellas Park. Organizers say the two-day celebration will feature mascot appearances, vendor booths, autograph sessions and on-field demos, leaning into the “sports festival” vibe rather than a quick photo-op.
RSVPs for the weekend are being collected through the park’s online event listing on Facebook Events, which also lays out the schedule and participation options for families who want to plan their visit.
What is in the park
On the field side, Sprowls Horizon is built to feel a bit like spring training without leaving Pinellas County. The complex features six turf diamonds modeled after Florida spring-training venues, along with a full-size grass multipurpose field that can host both soccer and football, according to Sprowls Horizon Sports Park.
The facility overview also lists batting cages, a pro shop, a playground and an outdoor ball-hockey rink among the core amenities. Off the fields, the park highlights a community plaza, a vendor village and a passport-station experience aimed at families moving through the complex. All traffic is directed to enter from 62nd Avenue North, and the park materials emphasize that the layout is designed for youth leagues and travel tournaments.
Partners and programming
The Sports Facilities Companies will operate Sprowls Horizon, handling bookings, programming and day-to-day management, with an eye toward a steady lineup of events rather than just the occasional big weekend. Florida Construction News reports that SFC plans to position the complex to host regional and national youth tournaments.
The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation also skated in with a key assist, committing a $100,000 grant to renovate and reopen the outdoor rink. City officials say that funding helped speed up and expand the project’s scope, according to a notice from the City of Pinellas Park.
Why it matters for the local economy
Sports tourism is already a serious business in Pinellas County. Data from Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, cited in local reporting, shows that 132 athletic events generated about $111.35 million in direct economic impact in fiscal 2024. That is a lot of hotel nights and restaurant tabs tied directly to people showing up to play.
By adding a tournament-ready complex like Sprowls Horizon, local leaders get another selling point for event organizers, along with more potential heads in beds and customers in local shops. St. Pete Catalyst details how recent sporting events have already lifted visitation and tax receipts.
How to attend
The public schedule on Sprowls Horizon Sports Park lists grand-opening activities running from roughly noon to 6 p.m. on both weekend days, and admission to the festivities is free according to the event information.
The complex sits at 4015 62nd Ave. N., and organizers are asking drivers to use the 62nd Avenue North entrance only. For more visitor information and contact details, the Pinellas Park Chamber has a listing for the facility, and the park’s online materials outline the full schedule for opening weekend.
