Hey y'all! This blog was orginially written in May 2019, but was refreshed in March 2020! We'll continute make updates to keep you in the loop on the best courts in town.
Looking for a place to shoot some hoops, play some pick up games, or work on your 3-pointer? We've gathered 10 of our favorite parks, recreation centers, and gymnasiums with outdoor and indoor basketball courts in Austin, TX.
PLUS in 2019, St. David's Foundation provided funding and support to some courts in need. Basketball courts, tennis courts, multi-use courts and more were resurfaced in 8 parks across Austin. Check out these revitalized courts:
Buttermilk Neighborhood Park
2 Basketball Courts
Directions
Davis White Neighborhood Park
2.5 Basketball Courts
Directions
Dottie Jordan Neighborhood Park
1 Basketball Court
Directions
Longview Neighborhood Park
1 Basketball Court
Directions
Pastor Craig Park
1 Basketball Court
Directions
Mary Moore Searight District Park
1 Basketball Courts, 2 Tennis Courts
Directions
South Austin Neighborhood Park
2 Multi-use Courts
Directions
Givens District Park
2 Basketball Courts
Directions
Austin weather allows us to play basketball outdoors most of the year, but for the winter months when it's a bit too cold, we've included indoor basketball courts as well! Here's our list of Austin basketball courts you should check out:
1. Alamo Pocket Park Basketball Court
Cost of Entry:
Free! Alamo Pocket Park is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
East Austin
2100 Alamo St, Austin, TX 78722
What's The Scoop:
Alamo Pocket Park, located in East Austin, was named the Best Basketball Court by The Austin Chronicle in 2011. Whether you're rolling in solo or with your crew, the pick up games at Alamo will help you fulfill your competitiveness. Want to know more or see their event schedule? Click here for more information.
2. Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park Basketball Court
Cost of Entry:
Free! Beverly S. Sheffield NW District Park is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
Central/Northwest Austin
7000 Ardath St, Austin, TX 78757
What's The Scoop:
Northwest District Park, located in North Austin, recently resurfaced their basketball and tennis courts! If you live near the neighborhood, head over to check out the new surfaces and the fresh coat of paint. Click here for more information.
3. Shipe Park Basketball Court
Cost of Entry:
Free! Shipe Neighborhood Park is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
Central/North Austin
4400 Avenue G, Austin, TX 78751
What's The Scoop:
Shipe Neighborhood Park, located in North Austin, was named a local secret in Austin by Smart Magazine for it's nightly pick up basketball games. Head over to Shipe Park solo or with your crew for some friendly competition! Want to know more? Click here for more information.
Thank you to Local Secrets Austin by Dan Gentile for the photo!
4. Austin Rec Center Gymnasium
Cost of Entry:
Free! Austin Recreation Center is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
Central Austin
1301 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
What's The Scoop:
Austin Recreation Center, located in Central Austin, has been around since 1923, but wasn't known by it's current name until 1970. Today, it has a 7000 sq. foot gymnasium with six basketball hoops and is also equipped for volleyball. Want to know more? Click here for more information.
Thank you to the Austin Parks and Recreation Department for the photo!
5. Hancock Rec Center Basketball Court
Cost of Entry:
Free! Hancock Recreation Center is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
Central Austin
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, has an outdoor basketball court adjacent to their 9 hole golf course. Looking for some competition? Enter your squad into the seasonal Hancock Blacktop Classic Tournament! Want to know more or see their event schedule? Click here for more information.
Thank you to the Austin Parks and Recreation Department for the photo!
6. Givens Rec Center Basketball Courts & Gymnasium
Cost of Entry:
Free! Givens Recreation Center is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
East Austin
What's The Scoop:
Givens Recreation Center, located in East Austin, has a full indoor gymnasium with 6 basketball hoops as well as 2 outdoor basketball courts. This family-friendly rec center is a great place to shoot some hoops or jump in a pick-up game. Want to know more or see their event schedule? Click here for more information.
7. TownLake YMCA Gymnasium
Cost of Entry:
An active YMCA Membership is Required.
Where It's Located:
Downtown/Central Austin
1100 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78703
What's The Scoop:
TownLake YMCA, located adjacent to Downtown Austin, has a full-size gymnasium with 6 basketball hoops and is equipped for volleyball as well. They offer both Youth and Adult basketball leagues for members and non-members alike (at an additional cost). Want to know more or see their event schedule? Click here for more information.
Thank you to the TownLake YMCA for the photo!
8. Buttermilk Park Basketball Courts & Virginia L. Brown Rec Center Gymnasium
Cost of Entry:
Free! Buttermilk Neighborhood Park is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
Northeast Austin
7508 Providence Ave, Austin, TX 78752
What's The Scoop:
Buttermilk Park was the recipient of a brand new court surfaces as of the Fall 2019! There are two full-size outdoor basketball courts. In addition, the adjacent Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center has a full size gymnasium as well as an additional hoop in the parking lot! Click here for more information.
9. South Austin Rec Center Gymnasium
Cost of Entry:
Free! South Austin Recreation Center is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
South Austin
1100 Cumberland Rd, Austin, TX 78704
What's The Scoop:
South Austin Recreation Center, located minutes from Zilker Park in South Austin, boasts a full court gymnasium with 6 basketball hoops. They host friendly competition in the form of Adult intramural sports, but it's also a great spot to shoot around or hop in a pick up game. Want to know more or see their event schedule? Click here for more information.
10. Shroeter Neighborhood Park Basketball Court
Cost of Entry:
Free! Hubert C. Schroeter Neighborhood Park is owned and operated by the City of Austin.
Where It's Located:
Northwest Austin
11701 Big Trail, Austin, TX 78759
What's The Scoop:
Hubert C. Schroeter Park, located in Northwest Austin, is a quaint park with a basketball court, picnic tables, grills, and a playground. It's a great place to shoot some hoops or a gathering of family and friends (or both)! Want to know more? Click here for more information.
Thank you to kaboom.org's Map of Play for this photo!
Bad News: Austin Scores Poorly On Access to Basketball Courts
Austin ranks 42nd overall in meeting the needs for parks. Although Austin has some great options for basketball available to the public, we scored a measly 16 out of a possible 40 points on access to basketball courts in 2018. At Austin Parks Foundation, we're dedicated to changing that.
Parks are central to communities no matter part of town they're in, and basketball courts can be a big part of that. A perfect example is Georgian Acres Neighborhood Park that received a $100,000 Impact Grant for park improvements including a new basketball court!
Does your neighborhood have a need for a basketball court or other park improvements? Contact our team today to learn more about how we can help your park or donate to the parks today.
