Pinellas Park Opens Sprowls Horizon Sports Park With Weekend Celebration

Pinellas Park cuts the ribbon on Sprowls Horizon Sports Park at 11:00 a.m. Saturday. A two-day festival kicks off the opening. Mascots will show up, vendors will set up booths, and athletes will sign autographs while on-field demos take place.

The new complex boasts six turf baseball diamonds patterned after spring-training venues, one multipurpose grass field, and an outdoor ball-hockey rink. These facilities sit at 4015 62nd Ave. N., taking over where the old Youth Park once stood.

A $13.5 million state allocation funded construction. City officials designed the project to attract regional and national youth tournaments, hoping to turn Pinellas Park into a magnet for young athletes.

General manager Michael Nielsen explained that city leaders aimed to create a national destination. "The old Youth Park was in need of some updates," Nielsen said, according to StPeteCatalyst.com. "Pinellas Park leaders thought instead of just doing a little bit of upgrades, it could provide something of a different feel."

The six baseball fields mirror places like George M. Steinbrenner Field, where the New York Yankees train each spring in Tampa. Batting cages stand ready. A pro shop sells gear. A playground gives younger kids a place to burn off energy between games.

One multipurpose field handles soccer, lacrosse, and flag football. The Sports Facilities Companies will operate the park, managing bookings and running programs. They plan to position the site for major youth tournaments rather than one-off games.

The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation chipped in $100,000 to renovate the outdoor rink and get it open again. That grant let city officials speed up construction and add more features.

Sports tourism generated $111.35 million across Pinellas County during fiscal 2024. Those numbers came from 132 athletic events that drew visitors from outside the area. Local leaders think the tournament-ready complex will pull in more event organizers while filling hotel rooms and restaurant tables.

Nielsen wants the site to serve the community beyond game days. Free movie nights are in the works. Holiday-themed events and back-to-school drives will round out the calendar.

Saturday's grand opening features a live radio broadcast, baseball clinics, a hockey tournament, and kickball games with cash prizes up for grabs. Sunday brings live entertainment — bands and comedians will perform — plus autograph sessions with professional baseball players. Hall of Fame member Fred McGriff will be there.

Admission costs nothing. Activities run from noon to 6 p.m. on both days. Drivers must use the 62nd Avenue North entrance only. RSVPs for the weekend are being collected through the park's online event listing, where the full schedule and participation options await.