Bayfront Park pickleball and tennis courts open to public

It’s game time at Bayfront Park.

The newly renovated pickleball and tennis courts officially opened to the public on March 7.

The much-anticipated revamp of Bayfront Park is slated to be complete in June. The completion of the courts brings the plan one step closer to the finish line.

“I tried to be the first person to a hit ball there, but I missed it,” former mayor and Town Commission candidate Jim Brown said.

The courts, which have been closed since June, are only two parts of the grand plan for Bayfront Park. The renovation is bringing $3.5 million worth of upgrades to the park. Still to come are various amenities including a dog park, a children’s playground, a fishing pier and basketball and shuffleboard courts.

Longboat Key Streets, Facilities and Parks and Recreation Manager Mark Richardson said the basketball courts should be opening within the month and the shuffleboard courts should follow shortly after.

Brown said he has been working on getting the park renovated since 2002.

The public courts will be open seven days a week from dawn until dusk. There is no court lighting.

Bayfront Park is located at 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive.