Bradenton Unveils $30M City Park Project to Revitalize Neighborhood

New community hub will connect downtown, Village of the Arts, and LECOM Park area

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:20pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print featuring repeated icons representing baseball, football, and a community center, rendered in a bold, pop art style to capture the energy and community focus of the City Park project.A $30 million investment in Bradenton's City Park project aims to revitalize a historically underserved neighborhood by connecting it to the broader community through sports, recreation, and a new community center.Bradenton Today

The city of Bradenton is launching a $30 million revitalization project called City Park that will transform the area surrounding LECOM Park, the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The project aims to serve the local Rogers Gardens neighborhood by adding new baseball and football fields, a splash pad, playground, and a community center near an elementary school, while also expanding parking and amenities for baseball games and events.

Why it matters

The City Park project is designed to better connect the downtown area, the Village of the Arts, and the LECOM Park neighborhood, which has historically felt underserved. By adding community-focused amenities and infrastructure, the city hopes to engage the local Rogers Gardens neighborhood and drive more foot traffic to the area.

The details

The $30 million City Park project will include new baseball and football fields for the Police Athletic League, a splash pad, playground, and a Miracle League field. A new community center will also be built near the G.D. Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School to provide year-round resources and activities for the neighborhood. Local business owners like Brian Gutierrez of Blur Studios Barber Shop anticipate a major increase in foot traffic as the area is transformed into a safer, more walkable destination.

  • Construction on City Park will begin in May 2026.
  • The entire City Park project is expected to be completed by 2028.

The players

Gene Brown

The mayor of Bradenton, who said the City Park project will revitalize the area around LECOM Park.

Brian Gutierrez

The owner of Blur Studios Barber Shop, a local business that expects to see a major increase in foot traffic once the City Park project is completed.

Johnny Cardenas

The manager of Blur Studios Barber Shop, who expects the afternoon traffic to grow as the park becomes a destination for concerts, cornhole tournaments, and local events.

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What they’re saying

“My goal is: How do we engage a neighborhood that has felt like it hasn't been engaged or really cared about. Anytime you can help a neighborhood have more things to do in walking distance, it only expands it.”

— Gene Brown, Mayor of Bradenton

“This area was not the best area; we trespassed a lot of people to get to this point.”

— Brian Gutierrez, Owner, Blur Studios Barber Shop

What’s next

Construction on the City Park project will begin in May 2026, with the goal of completing the entire project by 2028.

The takeaway

The City Park project represents a significant investment by the city of Bradenton to revitalize a historically underserved neighborhood and create a new community hub that will better connect the downtown area, the Village of the Arts, and the LECOM Park baseball facilities. By adding amenities like sports fields, a community center, and public spaces, the city hopes to drive more foot traffic and engagement in the Rogers Gardens neighborhood.