G.T. Bray is the centerpiece of the Manatee County Parks and Recreation Department and the home for everything from youth sports to dog parks to health and wellness programs for Bradenton's residents.
The massive park, which covers more than 120 acres and has another entrance at 3001 59th Street West, features a skate park, playgrounds, racquetball and horseshoe courts and fields for soccer, baseball, softball and football. There are multiple pavilions available for rent for parties and barbecues (call 742-5974 for info). The park also hosts youth camps and after-school programs that bus students in from various county elementary and middle schools.
G.T. Bray's new 19,000-square-foot Recreation Center, opened in November 2010 at a cost of about $3.5 million, is the county's first LEED-certified green building. The rec center includes a new WiFi cafe, gym, fitness center, game center/teen room, tennis courts and acquatic center with two pools and a splash area. It holds yoga and martial arts classes and a "Biggest Loser" weight loss challenge. Members at the technologically advanced center can also utilize flat-screen TVs for children's movie time and an interactive game called the Neos Wall that uses flashing lights and buttons to get kids active. Rec Center memberships begin at $43 a month for adults, with discounts available for youths/teens, seniors, couples and families.