Welcome to G.T. Bray Park, the heart of recreation and leisure in Manatee County! Spanning 140 acres, this park is packed with endless opportunities for fun, fitness, and relaxation. Whether you’re here to exercise, play, or simply unwind, there’s something for everyone.
At the center of it all is the Recreation Center, your gateway to even more activities and open to all with a daily fee or membership. Take a stroll along the scenic trails and explore the park’s many amenities to find what excites you most. From sports to serenity, G.T. Bray Park has it all. Come see for yourself!
Hours
Park hours: Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits. Recreation Center hours: Monday -Thursday 5:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Friday: 5:30am -7:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.- Amphitheater
- Athletic Field
- Baseball Field
- Basketball Court
- Batting Cages
- Benches
- Bike Racks
- Bleachers
- Concessions
- Disc Golf Course
- Dog Park
- Fitness Center
- Football Fields
- Horseshoe Pit
- Little League Fields
- Multi-Purpose Fields
- Outdoor Fitness Equipment
- Park
- Parking
- Pavillion Rental
- Pickleball Court
- Picnic Tables
- Playground
- Pools & Splash Pads
- Recreation Center
- Recycle Containers
- Restrooms
- Sand Volleyball Courts
- Skate Park
- Soccer Field
- Softball Field
- Tee Ball Field
- Tennis Court
- Trash Receptacles
- Walking Trail
- Water Fountains
Whispering Pines Pavilion
Location Details
Take the 51st street entrance into the wooded oak hammock (near the dog park). The pavilion is positioned closest to the amphitheater under the trees. Park gates will not be unlocked for closer access to the pavilion.Hours
Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.Location: Take the 51st street entrance into the wooded oak hammock (near the dog park). The pavilion is positioned closest to the amphitheater under the trees, within walking distance to the fenced in playground.
Amenities: Pavilion includes 7 tables which seat 56 and 1 grill. Restroom facilities are available nearby. The play area near the pavilion is open to the public. ADA Accessible.
Fee: $50.00 + tax….non electric
Water spigots are not for public use. Any additional set up of tables, tents, etc. is prohibited without a special event permit.
Reserve Pavilion
G.T. Bray Park Baseball Field
Hours
Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.Art Room
Location Details
Inside Recreation CenterRental Rates
Residential/Social | $35/hr |
Commercial | $55/hr |
Disc Golf Course
Location Details
51st St ParkHours
Sunrise to SunsetMeadow View Pavilion
Location Details
Take the 51st street entrance into the wooded oak hammock (near the dog park). The pavilion is positioned under the trees, within walking distance to the fenced in playground. Park gates will not be unlocked for closer access to the pavilion.Hours
Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.Location: Take the 51st street entrance into the wooded oak hammock (near the dog park). The pavilion is positioned under the trees, within walking distance to the fenced in playground.
Amenities: Pavilion includes 7 tables which seat 56 and 1 grill. Restroom facilities are available nearby. The play area next to the pavilion is open to the public. ADA Accessible
Fee: $50.00 + tax….non electric
Water spigots are not for public use. Any additional set up of tables, tents, etc. is prohibited without a special event permit.
G.T. Bray Park Softball Field
Hours
Sunrise to sunset unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.G.T. Bray Skate Park
Hours
Sunrise to sunset., unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.5502 33rd Avenue Drive West
Bradenton, FL 34209
USE THIS PARK AT YOUR OWN RISK
Skateboarding, In-line Skating, and BMX Biking are Inherently Dangerous Activities (FL Statutes 316.0085)
This Area is Under Video Surveillance
SKATE PARK RULES
- Use of Safety Gear – Strapped Helmets, Knee-pads and Elbow-pads are Highly Encouraged
- Alcohol, Tobacco Products, Drugs and Glass Containers are Prohibited
- Be Considerate of Others: No Profanity or Fighting Will Be Tolerated
- The Park is Closed When Equipment is Wet.
- Please Keep Park Clean and Use Trash Cans Provided
- To Report Any Unsafe Conditions or Damages Call: (941) 742-5923
- For Emergencies Call: 911
Please comply with all County Regulations.
Cedar Hammock Playground
Location Details
Softball complex, near Cedar Hammock PavilionHours
Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.Public playground adjacent to the Cedar Hammock Pavilion. Perfect for a family gathering or birthday party, or just a beautiful day in the Florida weather!
Location: Take the 59th street entrance to the softball fields. The pavilion is located within a fenced playground area.
Amenities: Pavilion includes 7 tables which seat 56 and 1 grill. Restroom facilities are available at the softball field concession area. The play area next to the pavilion is open to the public.
Fee: $50.00 + tax….non electric
Water spigots are not for public use. Any additional set up of tables, tents, etc. is prohibited without a special event permit.
Reserve Cedar Hammock #1
Bright Outlook Pavilion
Location Details
This pavilion is ideally located right outside the Recreation Center near the north parking lot.Hours
Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.Location: Take the 59th street entrance to the parking lot on the north side of the Recreation Center building. The pavilion is located within a fenced playground area with astro-turf.
Amenities: Pavilion includes 6 tables which seat 48, 1 grill and 1 chilled water fountain. Restroom facilities are available at the Recreation Center while the center is open. Additional restrooms are located at the baseball concession area. The play area next to the pavilion is open to the public.
Fee: $60.00 + tax…electric included.
Water spigots are not for public use. Park gates will not be unlocked for closer access to the pavilion. Any additional set up of tables, tents, etc. is prohibited without a special event permit.
Reserve Pavilion
Hickory Hollow Pavilion
Location Details
Take the 51st street entrance into the wooded oak hammock (near the dog park). The pavilion is positioned under the trees, adjacent to the fenced in playground. Park gates will not be unlocked for closer access to the pavilionHours
Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.Location: Take the 51st street entrance into the wooded oak hammock (near the dog park). The pavilion is positioned under the trees, adjacent to the fenced playground.
Amenities: Pavilion includes 7 tables which seat 56 and 1 grill. Restroom facilities are available nearby. The play area next to the pavilion is open to the public. ADA Accessible
Fee: $50.00 + tax….non electric
Water spigots are not for public use. Any additional set up of tables, tents, etc. is prohibited without a special event permit.
Movie Room Rental
Location Details
Inside Recreation CenterRental Rates
Residential/Social | $35/hr |
Commercial | $55/hr |
Laurie Crawford Dog Park
Location Details
Entrance to 51st ParkHours
Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.
The dog park is closed for maintenance during the following hours:
- Mondays, 7-10 a.m. - New large and small dog park areas
- Thursdays, 7-10 a.m. - Old large and small dog park areas
- Last Friday every month, 2 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Saturday (pesticide spraying) - All dog park areas
The Laurie Crawford Dog Park, formerly known as the "Happy Tails Canine Park" offers separate play space for large and small dogs. The park is a fenced-in, started as3-acre off leash dog park located in the northeast corner of G.T. Bray Park and now covers 4.25 acres, expanding into tree-shaded areas.
The Laurie Crawford Dog Park expansion is the first project completed with Manatee County's new infrastructure sales tax. The project included the addition of 3 pavilions, 2 water fountains, 8 benches, 15 picnic tables, 8 waste-bag dispensers, and 12 trash cans, plus the addition of concrete sidewalks from the parking lot to all pavilions for ADA access, and separate entry areas to both dog parks for increased safety.
Cedar Hammock Pavilion
Location Details
Take the 59th Street entrance to the softball fields. The pavilion is located within the fenced playground area. Park gates will not be unlocked for closer access to the pavilion.Hours
Sunrise to SunsetThe pavilion includes seven tables which seats approximately 56 and one grill. Restroom facilities are available at the softball fields. Playground is available and open to the public. Electric is not available. Water spigots are not for public use. Any additional set up of tables, tents, food trucks, or other vendors, etc. is prohibited without a special event permit. ADA Accessible.
Reserve the G.T. Bray Cedar Hammock PavilionG.T. Bray Aquatics Center
Location Details
Adjacent to North Parking LotWhat You Need To Know
- Gates open at the start of each swim session and entrance will be allowed until capacity is reached.
- When multiple swim sessions are posted, the whole facility will close between sessions. This will include the locker rooms and picnic areas.
- Opening of each part of the facility (Splash Pad, Kiddie Pool, and Lap Pool) is up to the discretion of staff on duty, and may close at any time for safety. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and strive to keep safety a priority.
- Swimwear is required for all guests. Please see the "Frequently Asked Questions" tab below for details of approved swimwear. Guests wearing prohibited swimwear will be turned away at the gate.
- Lane sharing will be implemented when lanes are full.
- Locker rooms close at the same time as the pool.
- All children under the age of 13 must take a swim test with a Lifeguard before entering the pool. During the swim test, Lifeguards will ask children to swim one length of the pool wall, demonstrate they can put their face in the water, and float on their back. If they do not pass the test, the child will be given a life jacket.
- An adult 18 years of age or older must be within arms reach of any child wearing a life jacket the entire time they are in the facility. The adult is required to be in the water with the child in either the lap pool or play structure. Failure to comply will result in an automatic removal from the pool area with no refund issued.
- It is recommended that patrons bring their own life jackets if able to do so. All life jackets must be U.S. Coast Guard approved.
Horseshoe Pit
Location Details
Behind soccer fields 1 and 2Hours
sunrise to sunset unless otherwise approved with a permitOutdoor Basketball Courts
Location Details
Outside, behind the Recreation Center, adjacent to the poolOutlook Playground
Location Details
Near Outlook PavilionG.T. Bray Gymnasium
Location Details
Next to Recreation CenterHours
Available hours vary based on programmingCheck out what's happening in the G.T. Bray Gym!
Gym Schedule M-F:
8am-10am: Reserved for regularly scheduled Group Fitness Classes
10am-1pm - Reserved for indoor Pickleball. First come First served basis. 4 courts available
1pm-5pm - Open Gym - available to Recreation Members or for a $3 daily use drop-in fee
For information regarding evening and weekend schedule please see Athletics Leagues for more details. When Youth Basketball is in season, this program has priority scheduling.
To reserve the Gym, please call the main line. *Schedules are subject to change when Summer Camp is in session.
Fitness Center
Location Details
Back of Recreation CenterHours
Monday-Thursday 5:30am -9:00pm
Friday 5:30am -7:00pm
Saturday and Sunday 7:00am - 4:00pm
Amphitheater
Location Details
adjacent to Dog ParkHours
sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise approved with a permitOak Knoll Playground
Location Details
Near baseball complexOak Knoll Pavilion
Location Details
The Oak Knoll Pavilion is located Next to the regulation size baseball field behind the Recreation Center.
Hours
Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.Location: Take the 51st street entrance into the wooded oak hammock (near the dog park). The pavilion is positioned under the trees, adjacent to the fenced playground.
Amenities: Pavilion includes 7 tables which seat 56 and 1 grill. Restroom facilities are available nearby. The play area next to the pavilion is open to the public. ADA Accessible.
Fee: $50.00 + tax….non electric
Water spigots are not for public use. Any additional set up of tables, tents, etc. is prohibited without a special event permit.
G.T. Bray Teen Room
C.V. Walton Racquet Center Tennis Courts
Location Details
Adjacent to the Recreation CenterHours
Monday - Thursday 7:00am-9:00pm
Friday - 7:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday & Sunday - 7:00am - 4:00pm
G.T. Bray Park Soccer Field
Hours
Sunrise to sunset unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.Fitness Trail
Location Details
Throughout parkHours
Sunrise to SunsetG.T. Bray Recreation Center
Hours
Recreation Center Hours
Monday - Thursday | 5:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
Friday Saturday and Sunday | 5:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m |
51st St. Playground
Location Details
Diagonal from the Ampitheater. Walking distance to all pavilions in the 51st ParkHours
Sunrise to SunsetWoodland Grove Pavilion
Location Details
Take the 51st street entrance into the wooded oak hammock (near the dog park). The pavilion is positioned northwest of the amphitheater under the trees, within walking distance to the fenced in playground. Park gates will not be unlocked for closer access to the pavilion.Hours
Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or allowed by special permits.Location: Take the 51st street entrance into the wooded oak hammock (near the dog park). The pavilion is positioned northwest of the amphitheater under the trees, within walking distance to the fenced in playground.
Amenities: Pavilion includes 7 tables which seat 56 and 1 grill. Restroom facilities are available nearby. The play area near the pavilion is open to the public.
Fee: $50.00 + tax….non electric
Water spigots are not for public use. Any additional set up of tables, tents, etc. is prohibited without a special event permit.
C.V. Walton Pickleball Courts
Recreation Center Playground
Location Details
Adjacent to Recreation Center and Pickleball CourtsHours
Sunrise to Sunset
Hours change during Summer Camp