Fort Lauderdale Mayor’s Newsletter: November 2025 [Fort Lauderdale’s Expanded Recreation Choices [pickleball, tennis and more]

The following highlights are from the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale’s November 2025 newsletter –

🏓 The Fort Pickleball Center – A New Community Landmark

Fort Lauderdale unveiled The Fort – A pickleball hub and major recreation destination created through a $30 million public-private partnership funded without tax dollars. The facility includes 43 courts, nearly 2,000 spectator seats, a lakefront beach, event space, and a full-service restaurant. It is expected to draw more than 500,000 visitors in its first year and already delivers an energetic atmosphere for families and players of all ages.

🎾 Renovation of the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center

The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center in Holiday Park has reopened after extensive modernization that preserves its heritage while preparing for future athletes. Upgrades include 20 clay courts with a modern irrigation system, a 700-seat stadium court, LED lighting, shade structures, benches, chilled drinking fountains, renovated restrooms, new fencing, and refreshed landscaping. Online reservations are now available, programs have expanded to children as young as four, and total improvements reflect a $9.5 million investment.

🌍 International Tennis Spotlight Returns to Fort Lauderdale

In December, Fort Lauderdale will host the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships, one of the world’s most prestigious junior tournaments. The recent facility enhancements were completed through a partnership involving the Orange Bowl, the USTA, and the city.

🏋️‍♂️ Ongoing Investments in Recreation and Community Wellness

The opening of The Fort and the upgraded Jimmy Evert Tennis Center reflect the city’s commitment to health, connection, and active lifestyles. These follow other major enhancements, including the restored Aquatic Center, transformed War Memorial Auditorium, and the Baptist Health Iceplex. Additional future investments include a new YMCA and park improvements citywide.

🌊 Waterway Safety and Speed Zone Enhancements

To address vessel congestion and improve public safety, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has implemented a new year-round slow-speed, minimum-wake zone on the Intracoastal Waterway between the Oakland Park Boulevard and Sunrise Boulevard bridges. This zone is situated between two existing idle-speed, no-wake zones located around the bridges.

🌱 Environmental Initiatives: Mangroves and Ecosystem Support

Mangrove plantings have been completed at Coontie Hatchee Park and George English Park. An additional fifty mangroves will be donated to New River Middle School’s Eco Sharks Club, which will nurture them until they are ready for future planting.

⚓ Anchoring Restrictions and Waterway Improvements

A 30-day overnight anchoring restriction has reduced the number of anchored vessels in Lake Sylvia from about 25 to just four, with similar improvements north of Las Olas Boulevard and in Sunrise Bay. The city also plans to expand sewage pump-out access by adding a pump-out vessel to service boats directly.

💧 Water Quality Monitoring and Sewage Management

Fort Lauderdale continues to work with state partners to improve water quality in the North Fork of the New River. The city intends to pursue federal grants to install real-time water quality monitoring stations measuring temperature, depth, salinity, oxygen, pH, turbidity, chlorophyll, and blue-green algae. These efforts complement existing public pump-out stations designed to prevent sewage discharge.

🧱 Living Seawall Program Discussions

The city is exploring a living seawall rebate program to offset permit costs for property owners who choose environmentally beneficial living seawalls over traditional seawalls.

🚤 Commitment to Protecting Fort Lauderdale’s Waterways

With 165 miles of canals and the New River forming the city’s economic and cultural backbone, the various waterway initiatives underscore Fort Lauderdale’s commitment to safety, resilience, and environmental stewardship.

🎄 Holiday Season Community Events

As the holiday season approaches, residents are encouraged to enjoy annual events produced by the city, including Light Up the Beach and the Downtown Countdown—opportunities for families and friends to gather and celebrate the season.