OUTDOOR PLAY

By Peter Roos

Enjoying the outdoors … There are three or four outdoor sports you can participate in downtown and on the barrier islands, which you may learn to love. You could play with someone you love, meet someone to love, or learn to love the sport itself. Have you ever tried lawn bowling or shuffleboard, tennis or pickleball? For those not into sports, there’s St. Petersburg’s amazing new accessible St. Pete Pier with enough to keep you busy for hours, and some great local food options.

LAWN BOWLING is easy to learn, very low cost, and provides gentle, healthy exercise and pleasant social company. A day on the green will get you out of the house (or office) and challenge you to some mental and physical stretching.

The St. Petersburg Lawn Bowling Club, 540 Fifth Ave. N, plays Mon., Wed., and Friday at 9:30am sharp. Free newcomer lessons start each of those days at 9am. Tea and coffee provided as well as lawn bowls. They also have a quaint clubhouse they rent out for small gatherings. For more info call Trevor at 727-344-4240 or visit www.stpetersburglawnbowling.org

“It’s more than just a PIER. It’s an exPIERience”

On the city’s picturesque downtown waterfront, at the St. Pete Pier there is fun for all ages, residents and visitors alike. The 26 acres combines the tranquil blue waters of Tampa Bay with the vibrant greenery of downtown St. Petersburg’s parks, creating the perfect place to walk, bike, dine, drink, shop, swim, take in a concert and more. No reservations are required. So make it a date at the St. Pete Pier this love month. February events include:

Feb. 4 @ 9-10am, F45 Training FREE Boot Camp– A 45-minute high-energy workout session.
Feb. 7 @ 4:30-5:30pm, St. Pete Library’s Outdoor Early Literacy Program
Feb. 7 @ 6-7pm, Sunset Yoga with The Body Electric
Feb. 17 @ 10-11am, YMCA Bodycombat

For more information about the St. Pete Pier, including events, map, parking, Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro, Teak, Pier Teaki, Driftwood Café, and more, visit www.stpetepier.org.

Opportunities abound for TENNIS and PICKLEBALL enthusiasts A great way to keep your new year’s resolution for more exercise is to take up or return to a sport like tennis or pickleball. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the nation for the third year in a row, growing by around 40% annually. The Tampa Bay Area has long been a mecca for recreational tennis players of all ages. St. Petersburg and its barrier island communities are dotted with both public and private tennis facilities. Pickleball is quickly growing in popularity, sometimes causing conflict with tennis players over availability of courts. So, it pays to know where courts are open and available.

In St. Pete, several public parks offer both tennis and pickleball courts. Pickleball is a racquet sport played by 2 or 4 people on a badminton-sized court using wood, or composite paddle racquets and a plastic, poly baseball with holes. Interested in learning how to play? Check out the website of local tennis and pickleball pro Brian Hartz at www.sunshinecitytennis.com, or contact Coach Brian directly at 727-481-6375 or brian@sunshinecitytennis.com, or contact Jack for lessons at: jack@beachtobaytennis.com or call him at 727-280-4276.

Northeast St. Pete Willis S. Johns Rec Center, a.k.a. Fossil Park Rec Center, 6635 Dr. Martin Luther King St. N, has four lighted tennis and six pickleball courts. in addition to a hitting wall and restrooms. Just a few miles away, Puryear Park has six lighted tennis courts and restrooms, but no pickleball. Denver Park, also in northeast St. Pete, has two tennis courts and six pickleball courts, but no public restrooms. Riviera Bay Park to the north has two tennis courts, but no public restrooms.

Downtown St. Pete With scenic views of Tampa Bay just steps away, North Shore Park offers one of the most picturesque settings for tennis. Because of their prime location, the park’s four courts tend to be busy, especially on weekends and weekday evenings. Public restrooms are located nearby. Two of Crescent Lake Park’s lighted tennis courts were converted into six pickleball courts, and they are usually packed with large groups of players taking turns. Be prepared to wait for a spot if you’re there to play pickleball. The two remaining tennis courts are usually not too busy. No public restrooms are available, but two dog parks – one for small pups, another for larger dogs – are next to the tennis and pickleball courts. Campbell Park, tucked away just south of I-175, at 601 14th St. S, is one of the best-kept secrets among local tennis enthusiasts. While not as idyllic as North Shore Park, it offers four well-lit, well-maintained tennis courts that are rarely busy, in addition to public restrooms. Also on the downtown periphery is Woodlawn Park, which has four lighted tennis courts and public restrooms.

South St. Pete/Gulfport Lake Vista Sports Complex, at 1401 62nd Ave. S, boasts eight well-lit tennis courts as well as a wall to hit against and public restrooms. St. Pete Tennis Center charges court fees but as a city-run facility, its rates are low, and memberships are available, but not required. If you prefer to play on clay courts rather than hard courts, check out St. Pete Tennis Center. You can also reserve courts in advance to ensure you won’t have to wait for other players to finish, and the pro shop sells equipment and accessories and offers racquet-string services.

The City of Gulfport put its American Rescue Plan Act funds to good use with a total overhaul of the tennis facility at Chase Park, which now has two resurfaced tennis courts, a hitting wall, public restrooms, and two brand-new, purpose-built pickleball courts. Coquina Key Park’s sports complex has also recently been upgraded and now boasts six pickleball courts and two tennis courts, all with lights. A large dog park is also available.

West St. Pete/Tyrone J.W. Cate Recreation Center, at 5801 22nd Ave. N, is one of the best public facilities in St. Pete for tennis and pickleball. It has four tennis courts and six pickleball courts, all with lights, and public restrooms and plenty of parking. At 1600 72nd St. N, not far from J.W. Cate is Azalea Park, which has four lighted tennis courts. It also has a disc golf course if you’re into that. Just north of Azalea Park, at 7891 26th Ave. N., is Walter Fuller Park and its two tennis courts and six pickleball courts.

Beach Communities Tucked-away Vina Del Mar Park, 302 S. Isle Dr., in the Pass-a-Grille area, has two lighted tennis courts, and a pickleball court was recently added. Hurley Park, 1501 Gulf Way, also in Pass-a-Grille, has tennis and pickleball courts and restrooms as well. Lazarillo Park, 224 DeBazen Ave. in St. Pete Beach, has four lighted tennis courts and pickleball lines have been painted on one of the tennis courts. Parking is limited, however and there are no public restrooms.

St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, offers indoor pickleball open or drop-in play, scheduled weekday mornings M-F 8am-noon, Tuesday evenings 6:30-8:30pm and Saturdays 9:15am-1pm. St. Pete Beach residents pay $3, non-residents $5 for 1 year, 20-punch pass available for $50. To register to play round robin, contact Jack for players card at: jack@beachtobaytennis.com. Farther north, just before the bridge to Treasure Island, you’ll find Egan Park, 9101 Gulf Blvd., which has two lighted tennis courts with pickleball lines and public restrooms.

Like St. Pete Beach and St. Pete Tennis Center, Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis, at 10315 Paradise Blvd., Treasure Island, is a municipally owned club that charges reasonable court fees. You can also buy equipment and accessories and get your tennis racquet restrung there. Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis boasts eight clay tennis courts, two hardcourts, and three pickleball courts. It also has a nine-hole, par-three golf course, two shuffleboard courts, and a beach volleyball court. Also in Treasure Island, Roselli Park has two lighted tennis courts that have pickleball lines painted on them. Just a few miles north, in Madeira Beach, Remember Our Children (ROC) Park has two lighted tennis courts. Meanwhile, nearby North Redington Beach has two lighted tennis courts at 16615 Gulf Blvd. For another public park option, head to Redington Shores, where there’s a single lighted tennis court next to a residential building at 17425 Gulf Blvd.

If you’re interested in lessons for either tennis or pickleball, check out the website of local tennis and pickleball pro Brian Hartz at www.sunshinecitytennis.com, or contact Coach Brian directly at 727-481-6375 or brian@sunshinecitytennis.com.

SHUFFLEBOARD is also a popular way to get out and get active in downtown St. Petersburg, on the beaches and in many retirement communities in the area. The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club – America’s oldest and largest shuffleboard club – is turning 100 in this year! SPSC is the oldest and largest Shuffleboard Club in the world. It is open to both residents and visitors. Our favorite way to get started at St. Pete Shuffle is their open play Friday Nights! Since starting their Friday night games in 2005, St. Pete Shuffle has welcomed 10s of thousands of people to the club. You can join them any Friday 7-10pm, weather permitting. Friday nights are free for members and their guests. $10 per person for non-members, kids are free. Their volunteers and staff will help you get set up on a court and show you how to play. Fridays are first come first served. You are welcome to bring your own food & drinks, but glass is not allowed on the courts. Learn more about their Friday Nights and watch a video showing how to play shuffleboard at www.paradisenewsfl.com/friday-shuffle. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner, St. Petersburg offers plenty of opportunities to play shuffleboard year round and enjoy the camaraderie of the shuffleboard community. Learn more about their upcoming 100th Anniversary celebration at www.stpeteshuffle.com

SUNSET PICNIC is another lovely outdoor activity! There isn’t anything much more romantic than sharing some sweets, a meal or a drink with your sweetheart while watching the sunset on one of our local beaches. Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year, so we recommend keeping it easy by picking up some treats or a full picnic from one of our favorite local markets. Mazzaro’s (St. Petersburg), Bayway Market (Tierra Verde), Casa Del Pain (St. Pete Beach) or The Helm (St. Pete Beach) are some of our favorites! Arrive early or order ahead for the best selection. Other essentials for your romantic beach picnic include a towel or chairs to sit on, sweatshirts in case it gets chilly, your favorite beverage and a selfie to remember the night!

You can also leave the picnic planning to a local expert like St. Pete Picnic Co, Picnics that Pop or The Picnic Boys. Picnic packages start around $200 for a couple then you can customize your package with everything from lemonade for 2 to a LED Marry Me sign to a backyard movie setup.