‘Pickleball Magazine’ Names G.T. Bray Courts Among Best In U.S.

BRADENTON, FL — The state-of-the-art pickleball facility at G.T. Bray Park has been named among the best in the U.S.

The courts made the list of “25 Great Places to Play Pickleball” published by “Pickleball Magazine.”

“From ocean breezes to mountaintop views, finding outdoor pickleball courts open to the public is as easy as one, two, dink! We’ve compiled a list of just some of the wonderful places to play pickleball in the open air around the country,” the article said.

The new C.V. Walton Racket Center, opened at the G.T. Bray Recreation Center in 2022, is “a terrific place to play,” the magazine said.

There are 20 courts at the facility, 14 of them covered with large ceiling fans to keep the air circulating during the hotter months.

Reservations for the outdoor courts can be made six days in advance. The reservation line opens at noon. The daily fee to play is $5.

“G. T. Bray Pickleball Complex is a state-of-the-art facility. It’s no surprise to our users to be named one of the best,” Molly White, deputy director Manatee County Sports and Leisure Services, said. “We have a great community, and we are happy to be able to meet their pickleball needs while attracting tournaments with players from all over the US.”

Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge added, “It’s great to see recognition like this. It is an acknowledgement of the ongoing commitment to keeping our county amenities world-class.”

• DETA Pickleball Club in Miami
• East Naples Community Park in Naples
• PicklePlex in Punta Gorda
• Pictona at Holly Hill in Holly Hill
• USTA National Training Center in Orlando