Florida Keys Children’s Shelter hosts youth pickleball tournament in Key Largo

Monroe County children took over the pickleball courts at Key Largo Community Park on Saturday, where the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter used a free tournament to give youth ages 8 to 18 a morning of competition, prizes and structured recreation.

The shelter hosted its second annual community pickleball tournament from 8 a.m. to noon at the 14-acre county park at 500 St. Croix Place. Every registered player received a free day pass to Jacobs Aquatic Center, while families paid nothing to attend and accompanying adults could enter at a discounted rate. The setup was meant to keep the outing affordable for larger families and caregivers while giving kids a reason to show up, play and stay engaged.

Anais Diaz, the shelter’s community development director, said the goal was to create opportunities that bring kids together, build confidence and create lasting memories. Pickleball gave the shelter an easy entry point: the game is simple to pick up, competitive without being intimidating and accessible enough to draw children from Key West to Key Largo into the same activity. The tournament also reflected a broader need in Monroe County for low-barrier recreation that is not built solely around tourism, adult fundraising or government meetings.

The shelter’s approach fits its long history in the Keys. It says it has served and counseled children and families since 1985, and that more than 21,000 children and families in Monroe County have received its services since 1989. By turning a Saturday morning into a youth sports event, the organization paired a fundraiser-style community gathering with the kind of supervised activity that can help fill time, strengthen family ties and create a sense of belonging.

Support came from Regan Roth Insurance Agency, Denny’s Latin Café and Innovation Home Health, with Schoolyard Academy listed as a partner. The tournament also highlighted how organized recreation depends on access: Monroe County says courts reserved for tournaments require permission from Parks and Beaches, even as open play remains first-come, first-served. The shelter held a similar event at Key Largo Park on July 12, 2025, when youth ages 8 to 21 competed in three skill divisions, a sign that the tournament has quickly become part of the county’s youth recreation calendar.