New dog park is coming to Manatee County with pickleball courts, fitness trail
The newest park in Manatee County is adding highly requested amenities — and residents will have a chance to name the park themselves.
Government leaders announced that a 17-acre park is coming to the corner of Tallevast Road and Prospect Road, just north of Kinnan Elementary School. The park will feature a half-mile walking trail, pickleball courts and the area’s first dedicated dog park.
The park, which is expected to cost about $2.6 million, will also include restrooms, natural wetlands and a lawn area for open activities. The dog park will provide shade structures and water fountains for dogs, as well as separate areas for large and small pets.
“As far as pickleball goes, we cannot build those courts fast enough,” said Commissioner Misty Servia. “(Residents) want them in every neighborhood, so we’re excited to add those.”
The county aims to begin construction on the park this summer, with completion by the end of the year, Servia said, noting that pandemic-related delays could push the opening back to 2023.
Residents are invited to submit name recommendations through an online form at www.MyManatee.org/NameThatPark. At the end of March, Commissioner Misty Servia will allow District 4’s Citizens Coalition on Growth oversight group to pick the best names before she brings them to the Board of County Commissioners for a final vote.
“We’re always trying to engage the people at the local level, and sometimes it’s really hard to do that, so we put it to the people because who else is better at naming the park than the people it will serve?” Servia said.
The winner will “enter the pages of Manatee County history” by being included in the formal proclamation naming the new park.
You must be a Manatee County resident to submit a name suggestion. Residents younger than 18 years old will also need to provide the contact information for a parent or guardian.
