Tom Petty Park sports new pickleball courts, seating, lighting

Tom Petty Park sports new pickleball courts, seating, lighting

Published on February 19, 2026

The City of Gainesville announces the completion of eight new pickleball courts at Tom Petty Park that now are open to the public, adding this municipal park to the list of local places for enthusiasts of the popular sport.

The tennis courts also are open for play and feature a new shade canopy on the east end of the courts. Completed renovations at the municipal park also include new seating areas, a multiuse trail, new landscaping, additional shade structures and a stormwater pond.

"Tom Petty Park is one of our most beloved neighborhood parks, and it's great to see it getting the investment it deserves," said Gainesville City Commissioner Bryan Eastman, District IV. "From walking and biking to volleying and dinking, these improvements give our community more ways to enjoy this space together."

The parking lot features a new solar lighting system and LED lighting illuminates the pickleball and tennis courts, multipurpose field and the softball/baseball fields.

"The new lighting enhances both visibility and usability across the park," said Wild Spaces & Public Places Acting Director Rachel Mandell. "The multipurpose field lighting extends activity into the evening hours, while upcoming trail lighting will provide a safer, more comfortable pedestrian connection between the north and south ends of the park."

Visitors are advised work is still underway at the park, and portions of the courts may close at times as crews complete final steps. New restrooms are under construction. On-site temporary facilities - portable toilets and a handwashing station - are located next to the parking area. Restroom facilities will be completed as part of a larger building that includes storage and concessions.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for spring once final renovations at the municipal park, located at 501 NE 16th Ave., are complete. The current renovations, at a total cost of $2.6 million, are fully funded through the voter-approved WSPP half-cent sales tax.

The city's commitment to building great places to live and experience is a keystone of its strategic plan.

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