OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A new sign now stands at Coehadjoe Park honoring the man who helped put local pickleball on the map.
On Thursday, Marion County Parks & Recreation held a ceremony to unveil the sign officially dedicating the John R. Hunt Pickleball Courts. The event brought together Parks & Rec leaders, county officials, members of the Ocala Pickleball Club, and Hunt’s family, including his widow, Patti, and daughter, Angela.


John Hunt was known as a passionate advocate for the sport, and his efforts were instrumental in convincing the county to build dedicated pickleball courts for public use at Coehadjoe Park. Since then, the local pickleball community has grown rapidly, attracting players of all ages and fitness levels.
|RELATED: Coehadjoe Park pickleball courts dedicated to John R. Hunt
County Commission Chair Kathy Bryant and Vice-Chair Carl Zalak III attended the ceremony, along with several members of the county’s administration. The Board of County Commissioners approved the court’s dedication in Hunt’s name in late 2024.
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