Miami Lakes Optimist Park — Attraction in Miami Lakes

Overall, this park is quite nice. It features a scenic trail for walking and running, as well as well-maintained soccer and baseball fields, and batting cages. However, I want to share my perspective as a long-time tennis player, as the park has offered recreational tennis for over 20 years.

Unfortunately, the design and layout of the tennis courts are extremely disappointing. Miami Lakes made a serious misstep by combining tennis and pickleball courts in a way that compromises the integrity of both sports. I’ve never seen tennis and pickleball lines forced onto the same surface in such a poorly thought-out manner.

Even more frustrating is the removal of the tennis nets from two of the four courts, effectively cutting tennis play in half. Meanwhile, since all courts now feature pickleball lines, pickleball can be played on every court. This decision prioritizes one sport over the other and disregards the long-standing tennis community that has used this space for decades.

This is not just a bad design—it’s a clear example of how poor planning can alienate long-time users. I sincerely hope the town reconsiders this approach and creates a fair and functional solution for both tennis and...

The Optimist Park in Miami Lakes offers ample space for games, baseball, soccer, track and field. It is also used for many Town of Miami Lakes events, in particular the Relay for Life which donates proceeds to the American Cancer Society. At all hours, we drive by and see residents taking advantage of this great green space offering, exercising and socializing as Miami Lakes continues to grow beautifully.

One treasure behind the park, adjacent to the canal / lake, is Miami Lakes Marina, a place where to...

I have a long history with Miami Lakes Optimist, having played there as a child and now coaching. Unfortunately, I don't think it has improved since my playing days. The drainage is still a problem, and the league doesn't seem very organized. Umpires often don't show up, which can be frustrating. I even had a situation where a parent wanted their child on a different team and was allowed to switch, which was disappointing. Hopefully, there can be some improvements in the...