McKay Park Reopens with Six Lighted Pickleball Courts
Clearwater Beach's neighborhood park is back open after a major renovation, and pickleball is the headline.
The short version
McKay Park on Clearwater Beach reopened in February 2025 after a major renovation, adding six new lighted pickleball courts open daily from 7am to 9pm. The project, helped by a $150,000 gift from the Frenchy's Foundation, also brought a new playground, a resurfaced bocce court, outdoor exercise equipment, and new shade. The pickleball courts are free and first-come at 605 Mandalay Avenue.
McKay Park on Clearwater Beach reopened in February 2025 after a major renovation, and the headline for racquet-sports players is six new lighted pickleball courts. The park at 605 Mandalay Avenue had been closed for construction, and it came back with a lot more than courts: a new playground, a resurfaced bocce court, outdoor exercise equipment, new shade structures, and better landscaping and drainage. The city held a ribbon-cutting on February 21, 2025.
McKay Park reopened with six lighted pickleball courts steps from the beach.
What is new
McKay Park has served Clearwater Beach for more than 40 years, and this was its biggest update in a long time. The City of Clearwater rebuilt the park around the new pickleball courts, which sit near the corner of Mandalay Avenue at the quieter north end of the beach. A $150,000 gift from the Frenchy's Foundation, the charitable arm of the well-known local Frenchy's restaurants, helped fund the work, which local news covered through the build and which St. Pete Catalyst reported as part of a wave of Clearwater Beach park upgrades.
Putting pickleball right on the beach is a notable move. Most of the area's dedicated courts are inland, in the bigger recreation complexes, so a free set of six lighted courts a couple of blocks from the Gulf gives locals and visitors a place to play that comes with a swim afterward. It also takes some pressure off the busier inland courts on a nice weekend.
The courts
There are six pickleball courts, and all of them are lighted. The lights run on a push-button system in the center of the court bank, so evening play is easy: push the button and the courts come on. Hours are 7am to 9pm daily. The courts are free and first-come, which is the norm for public courts in the area.
The one thing to plan for is parking. This is Clearwater Beach, so the lots are paid, not free. Get there early, especially on weekends and through the winter season when the beach is busy, or budget for the lot.
Note
Frequently Asked Questions
When did McKay Park reopen?
McKay Park on Clearwater Beach reopened in February 2025 after a major renovation, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 21, 2025. The park had been closed during construction.
How many pickleball courts does McKay Park have, and are they lighted?
McKay Park has six new pickleball courts, all lighted. The lights are on a push-button system in the center of the courts, and the courts are open daily from 7am to 9pm.
Are the pickleball courts at McKay Park free?
Yes. The pickleball courts at McKay Park are free and first-come, first-served. The park itself is free; the main cost on Clearwater Beach is paid parking, so plan for that or arrive early.
Where else can I play pickleball near Clearwater Beach?
Inland Clearwater has several dedicated pickleball venues, including The Long Center, Countryside Community Park, and Greenwood Recreation Center, each with six courts. You can see all of them on the TB Let's Play court map.
Clayton Walker
Founder
Founder of TB Let's Play and lifelong tennis player. Building the community resource Tampa Bay deserves for finding courts, connecting with players, and making the most of our region's incredible tennis and pickleball scene.
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