Recreation Centers are wonderful resources for their surrounding communities because of their ability to host a wide variety of programming and activities! Whether you're looking for an indoor basketball gymnasium, an afternoon dance class or a place to swim in the Summer months, there's an Austin recreation center that has what you need.
While you're here, check out what Austin Parks Foundation is doing to ensure Austinites have the right to safe, accessible parks regardless of where they live.
We've gathered a list of 8 recreation centers in Austin, TX that we think you should check out for yourself. The list includes facilities with public golf courses, community gardens, lighted ball fields and so much more. Did we mention that the majority of the recreation centers and their programming are free? Check out our list here:
1) Hancock Recreation Center
Cost of Entry:
Free! This facility is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
811 E 41st St, Austin, TX 78751
What's The Scoop:
Hancock Recreation Center, located just north of The University of Texas at Austin's campus, features a public 9 hole golf course, outdoor basketball court, indoor gymnasium, hardwood floor ballroom, classrooms, playground, and more!
Their programming includes youth programs for ages 3-13, yoga classes, teen club, summer camps, and many dance programs including folk, ballroom, and barn!
Did you know that Hancock Recreation Center used to be the Austin Country Club? It's true! The building was sold to the City of Austin and designated as park land in 1951. Want to know more or see their event schedule? Click here for more information.
2) Northwest Recreation Center
Photo from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Cost of Entry:
Free! This facility is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
2913 Northland Dr, Austin, TX 78757
What's The Scoop:
Northwest Recreation Center, located in Northwest Austin, was recently remodeled and offers year-round youth and adult programs. The rec center includes a full-court gymnasium, arts and crafts room, meeting room, lobby with free Wi-Fi, sand volleyball court, and more!
Interested in some friendly competition? Northwest Rec Center offers Flag Football and Winter Basketball leagues! Looking for a fitness class? You'll enjoy the jazzercise, yoga, capoeira, tai chi, and more.
Northwest Recreation Center opened in 1979 and underwent a 7,500 square foot expansion in 2011. Want to learn more? Click here for more information.
3) Danny G. McBeth Recreation Center
Photo from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Cost of Entry:
Free! This facility is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
2401 Columbus Dr, Austin, TX 78746
What's The Scoop:
Danny G. McBeth Recreation Center, located in Zilker Park, features an indoor basketball court, two activity rooms, playscape, exercise room, outdoor picnic areas, and more!
This rec center features year-round programs designed for Austinites with differing abilities to improve their sports skills and compete with their peers, including opportunities to participate in area and state Special Olympics competitions. Exciting News: We were able to install a brand new ADA compliant entrance ramp made possible by a $25,000 Community Grant in partnership with the Accessible Trail Fund and the APF Board of Directors.
McBeth Recreation Center was named for Danny G. McBeth, an advocate for rights and services for the disabled community. Want to know more or see their event schedule? Click here for more information.
4) South Austin Recreation Center
Photo from Nature Rocks Austin
Cost of Entry:
Free! This facility is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
1100 Cumberland Rd, Austin, TX 78704
What's The Scoop:
South Austin Recreation Center, located a few minutes from Zilker Park in South Austin, features a full court gymnasium, outdoor playscape, billiards, tennis courts, lighted ball fields, ping pong, and more!
Looking to take a class or join an intramural league? South Austin Rec Center has zumba classes as well as adult programs for kickball, karate, and volleyball.
The South Austin Recreation Center opened it’s doors in 1974 to support neighborhood youth. Today, the center continues to focus on youth programming like camps, afterschool, gymnastics, flag football, indoor/outdoor soccer field, and more. Want to know more or see their event schedule? Click here for more information.
5) Givens Recreation Center
Cost of Entry:
Free! This facility is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
What's The Scoop:
Givens Recreation Center, located in East Austin, has an indoor gymnasium with 6 basketball hoops, tennis courts, swimming pool, yoga classes, senior programs, a weight/boxing room, youth programming, and more!
This rec center was named for Dr. Everett H. Givens, a well known East Austin dentist and civic leader. In September of 1975, the construction of Givens Recreation Center was approved and later finished in 1979.
Have you heard about Givens Swims? Coming July 2019, Givens Swims is a dance show benefiting Givens Pool performed by the staff and neighbors of the historic pool. The show for the historic pool and it's people is brought to you by Forklift Danceworks in partnership with Austin Parks Foundation!
This family-friendly rec center is a great place to shoot some hoops, socialize with peers, or have a swim in the Summer heat. Want to know more or see their event schedule? Click here for more information.
6) Austin Recreation Center
Photo from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Cost of Entry:
Free! This facility is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
1301 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
What's The Scoop:
Formerly known as the Austin Athletic Club, the Austin Recreation Center has been a staple of the Central Austin community since 1970. The current facility was opened in 1986 after the Memorial Day flood of 1981 caused the original facility to close down permanently.
Today, Austin Recreation Center is home to many programs for children and adults, a 7,000 square foot gymnasium, 700 square foot dance studio, weight room, arts and crafts room, and more!
Programs include karate, yoga, dance, badminton, jazzercise, and many more. Want to know more? Click here for more information.
7) Dottie Jordan Recreation Center
Cost of Entry:
Free! This facility is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
2803 Loyola Ln, Austin, TX 78723
What's The Scoop:
Dottie Jordan Recreation Center, located in Northeast Austin, offers programs for children, adults, and seniors alike! The facility features a multi-use field, playscape, lighted tennis courts, lighted outdoor basketball court, computer lab, community garden, swimming pool, and more!
Want to join a fitness and wellness program? Check out one of their Smooth and E-Z Dance or Kokoro Judo classes! Interested in growing your own vegetables? Visit Dottie Jordan to learn how you can be a part of the community garden!
Dottie Jordan Recreation Center was named after an AISD orchestra teacher who advocated for the park when it was threatened to be built over with condominiums. Want to learn more? Click here for more information.
8) Coming Soon: Montopolis Recreation & Community Center
Photo from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Cost of Entry:
Free! This facility will be owned and operated by the City of Austin and Austin Public Health.
Where It's Located:
1200 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX 78741
What's The Scoop:
The rebuilt Montopolis Recreation & Community Center is now under construction as of September 5, 2018 with estimated completion in Summer 2020. The new design was influenced by the needs of the community and aims to foster mental and physical well-being through the pursuit of healthy lifestyles.
In 1971, the City of Austin entered an agreement to operate the Montopolis Recreation Center from the original owners, the Dolores Catholic Church. The original facility was in poor condition and struggled to meet the needs of the growing and vibrant community. We're excited to see the final product! Want to learn more? Click here for more information.
Bad News: Austin Scores Poorly On Access to Recreation Centers for Its Residents
Austin ranks 42nd overall in meeting the needs for parks. Although Austin has some good options, we scored 14 out of a possible 40 points on access to recreation centers in 2018. At Austin Parks Foundation, we're determined to improve Austin's park score.
Parks, trails, green spaces, and rec centers are central to the Austin community regardless of what part of town they reside. We have focused a portion of our Austin City Limits Music Festival Grants to help Austin's recreation centers better serve their diverse communities. Our work and investments in Austin's rec centers include ADA accessible trails and entrances, shade structures for pools, playgrounds, and gardens, lighting for athletic fields, and many more.
Does your neighborhood or local rec center need essential improvements? Interested in finding out how you can help? Contact our team today to learn more about how we can help your rec center or donate to the parks today.
