Thanks to our year-round tropical climate, Southeast Texas is a great place to get outside and enjoy the sunshine! With a plethora of facilities available, whether you’re looking for a casual pick-up game or to try a new hobby, or make some friends, there’s no shortage of places to get outside, break a sweat, or get your endorphins going. You can brush up on an old favorite or try something new with disc golf, pickleball, and futsal some of the new and exciting offerings around town. 

Texas takes sports very seriously, but you don’t have to. The City of Beaumont’s Parks and Recreation Department is constantly re-inventing the wheel on fun, so check out some of the facilities available to use – many of which are completely free.  

Disc Golf   

 A cross between frisbee and golf, this unique twist on frisbee has players tossing discs at various baskets scoring how many throws it takes to hit the target. Like golf, the least amount of shots is desirable. Play a few holes or play a few rounds at one of our free public disc golf courses at Klein Park or Tyrrell Park. No reservations are required, just pick a sunny afternoon, round up some friends, and aim for the basket. You can bring your own discs, or the Cattail Marsh Wetlands Education Center rents them free of charge.     

Golf  

Looking to practice your putting or driving? SETX is a year-round golf destination. Head to Henry Homberg Golf Course in Tyrrell Park for a public 18-hole course suitable for all skill levels. Built in the 1930s, the historic course has been continually upgraded to provide a challenging and picturesque setting for players. Check out their website for rates and to book a tee time.  

Archery   

Channel your inner Katniss Everdeen at the Tyrrell Park Archery Range located right next to the Tyrrell Park Stables. This fifty-yard range has ten targets for you to use completely free of charge! Just bring your own gear and shoot till your heart’s content. Also – be on the lookout for some exciting news about archery lessons in the near future!  

 Basketball  

Beaumont has produced some seriously top-tier pro players and the city does whatever it can to make sure there are plenty of well-kept facilities for practice. No matter what side of town you’re on, there is an indoor or outdoor court near you. Grab a ball, your crew, and your best game face and make it a scrimmage. Or go family style with a casual game of horse, around the world, or musical baskets. Here’s a list of parks in Beaumont that have basketball courts available for free public use:   

Volleyball  

 Hit the net for twos, fours or sixes to practice your bump, set, spike. You can beat the heat with indoor courts at Sterling Pruitt Activity Center or catch a tan at one of the outdoor courts at the Beaumont Municipal Athletic Complex or Roberts Park. Volleyballs are available to rent for free at Sterling Pruitt, but you’ll need to dig that ball out of your garage if you want to play at either of the other two locations.    

 Skate/Rollerblade  

Our very own Beautiful Mountain Skate Park is a skater’s paradise equipped with obstacles, ramps and jumps for terrain of all abilities. Practice your ledges, rails, and stairs as you fly and spin through the air. Located downtown at the corner of Laurel and Magnolia, it’s open from dusk until dawn next to the Lakeside Center with a view of the lake. You’ll need to bring your own skates and protective gear — knee pads and helmets are highly recommended.  

Pickleball   

The fastest growing sport in the country, Pickleball is taking the world by storm! Similar to tennis, it can be played as doubles or singles on a modified court about ¼ of the size. Perfect for all ages, all you need is a paddle and a plastic wiffle ball. Come to the Sterling Pruitt Activity Center on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 am to 10:00 am to play with other likeminded folks or set up your own tournament at the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center any day of the week, If you’re just starting out and would like lessons, they are available by calling (409) 866-2833. Don’t have your own equipment? No problem! Both locations rent paddles and balls – free of charge.  

Tennis   

Tennis is a classic racquet game between two (or four) people and a great choice for those who want an easy, but high-cardio sport. As competitive as you want to make it, it’s played by making sure the ball stays in bounds and makes it over the net. All skill levels are welcome, but if you’re a beginner that wants some pointers, drop into a beginner’s class on Thursdays at 6:00 PM! For just $15 per lesson, you can train with a USPTA Certified Coach. No registration is necessary, just show up to the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center.  

Run to your nearest sporting goods store to grab a racquet and balls and head over to one of eight different courts around town or rent one of the 24 courts at the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center! You have plenty of places to play at:  

Futsal  

Futsal is a faced-paced, modified version of soccer with exciting twists and turns that allow you to play in a smaller space with smaller teams. It is recognized by both UEFA and FIFA worldwide, and now you can play it right here in Beaumont!  

Head on over to Central Park to play any day of the week, which has no reservations and no fees. According to their website, “The priority in Futsal is to motivate players in an environment that is conducive to learning. The more pleasure kids derive from their participation, the more they wish to play and practice on their own.” Learn more about Futsal and how to play by checking out this video.  

Softball/Baseball  

What better way to spend a sunny afternoon than with a few friends, a beautiful open field, and fresh air! Dig out that old bat and your favorite old baseball cap from the back of your closet and get to swinging. 

There are several fields available to you within the City of Beaumont, including Rogers Park, Sprott Park, Cottonwood Park, Lefler Park, Klein Park, McLean Park, Pearlstein Park, and Guseman Park. There are also several fields and summer leagues held at the Beaumont Municipal Athletic Complex but be sure to check availability before heading over as the city often hosts traveling tournaments and teams, as well.  

Soccer  

Kick it up a notch with the most popular sport in the world. Soccer fields are available anytime at Babe Zaharias Park that are free and available to the public.  

The City of Beaumont Parks and Recreation department works tirelessly to keep up with all these facilities, but they are always adding new attractions and features. Be on the lookout for new bocce ball courts coming soon, upgraded tennis facilities, and even stand-alone pickleball and futsal courts! You can stay up to date with everything that’s available to you by following the City of Beaumont social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.