Miami-Dade Parks to dedicate eight additional pickleball courts at Tropical Park

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 10 a.m., Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department will be joined by Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners Vice Chairman and District 10 Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez to dedicate eight new pickleball courts at Tropical Park. 

“I’m very proud of our Parks Department for always making sure our green and open spaces are up-to-date and ready to accommodate our community’s changing needs,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “These new pickleball courts are a great addition to our wonderful parks system and will add even more quality of life for residents who love playing this incredibly popular sport.”

In addition to the already existing four pickleball courts at the park, these eight new courts come complete with lighting, making it easier for pickleball enthusiasts to play during the evening hours. 

“These eight additional courts will meet a real demand, given the sport’s rising popularity,” said Vice Chairman Rodriguez. “Tropical Park is surrounded by a very active community of sports enthusiasts, and I am thrilled that area residents now have the added amenity of lighted pickleball courts to enjoy.” 

There are 36.5 million pickleball players in the United States according to new data released in January 2023 by the Association of Pickleball Professionals. For three consecutive years, pickleball has been ranked the fastest-growing sport in America, with a 158.6 % growth rate between 2020 and 2023. Miami-Dade Parks continues to provide for the growing demand of the sport, as part of the Parks Department’s mission to create outstanding recreational experiences that enhance the community’s quality of life.  
 
“We are excited to celebrate the installation of the lighted pickleball courts at Tropical Park that expand outdoor recreational opportunities for Miami-Dade County residents,” said Miami-Dade Parks Director Maria Nardi. “This is 12 out of 73 pickleball courts we have throughout the county, and we look forward to having the community enjoy these wonderful amenities.”  

Miami-Dade Parks also has dedicated pickleball courts at Highland Oaks Park, Tamiami Park, Haulover Park, Ives Estates Tennis Center, Tropical Park, and Water Oaks Park, and multi-use courts for pickleball and tennis at Colonial Park, Coral Estates Park, Country Club of Miami, Devon Aire Park, Kings Grant Park, Norman & Jean Reach Park, Marva Y. Bannerman Park, JL (Joe) and Enid W. Demps Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, Miller Drive Park, Modello Park, North Trail Park, Oak Grove Park, Princetonian Park, Ruben Dario Park, Sgt. Joseph Delaney Park, and Tamiami Park Tennis Center. 

Tropical Park was developed in 1979 on the site of a former historic horse track. In addition to its present-day premier showcase Equestrian Center, the park offers 12 pickleball courts, and its 1.5 million yearly visitors enjoy bicycling, walking or running on the miles of paved pathways, exercising on the park’s cutting-edge path of fitness zones,  a boxing center, pickleball, tennis, track and field amenities, and four baseball fields, which, together with passive recreational opportunities, make it the central park of the area. On the grounds of the park is the County’s Westchester Cultural Arts Center, a multipurpose recreational and cultural facility.

About Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces:

Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces is among the three largest park systems in the United States, consisting of 290 parks and 40,000+ acres of parks and natural areas, comprised of active, passive parklands and nature preserves. It is one of the most unique and diverse park and recreation systems in the world, focused on placemaking, health and fitness, and conservation and stewardship.

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