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Louisiana has long been known as a "Sportsman's Paradise", and the Baton Rouge area is no exception. From enchanting waterways with incredible hunting and fishing to award-winning golf courses, there is something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Parks, Trails, and Waterways
More than 180 neighborhood parks dotting the cityscape offer everything from playgrounds to organized team sports. Baton Rouge-Bluebonnet Swamp and Nature Center is a nature haven in the middle of the city that features 101 acres of nature trails and a boardwalk for easy wildlife watching.
Swamp tours are also available for anyone wanting an authentic peek at Louisiana's natural habitat. Excursions by boat offer glimpses at alligators, egrets, herons, bald eagles, and spectacular sunsets on open lakes with giant old-growth cypress trees.
BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo is one of the Capital Region's most popular attractions and is located near Baker. Boasting over 1,800 exotic animals from six continents, it's been hailed as one of the country's best small-city zoos.
A proposed 13-acre riverfront park will picturesquely tie the northern end of the Mississippi Riverfront in Baton Rouge to the southern end by bricked waterway walks, landscaping, pedestrian seating, and venues for outdoor concerts and entertainment in full view of the river.
Participation Sports
The Baton Rouge area has sports leagues for both children and adults including baseball, basketball, football, softball, volleyball, soccer, bowling, and tennis.
The Ascension Parish Park and Recreation Department features several parks and many sports leagues for all ages. Programs currently offered in Ascension Parish include:
- Ascension Boys Baseball (ABB)
- Ascension Youth Softball (AYSA)
- Ascension Youth Basketball (AYBA)
- Ascension Adult Softball
- Special Tuesdays for the Handicapped
- River Region Arts Association
- PARC T-Ball Association
For more information about Ascension Parish Sports Leagues contact:
Director, Kenny Templet
Office of Recreation and Culture
225.621.9661
Baton Rouge Soccer Association
The Baton Rouge Soccer Association offers several options for league play ranging from young children to adults over 30. No matter what your skill level, BRSA has a league or developmental program for you.
Baton Rouge Sports Leagues (BREC)
The BREC sports department offers sports action for all ages, children through senior citizens. BREC can place you on a team, or you can form a team and BREC can help find additional players if necessary. If you don't care to play sports, you have the opportunity to become a volunteer coach in BREC's junior sports program. BREC also trains those who want to become sports officials for BREC. For more information, call the BREC main office at 225.273.6400.
Baton Rouge Sports Leagues (YMCA)
A diverse selection of sports leagues is available to members of the YMCA of the Capital Area. Since 1917, the YMCA of the Capital Area has been serving the community with programs and services that meet the needs of the people of this area. Each branch of the YMCA is unique in its offerings. A citywide membership allows you to use all 8 facilities in the Capital Area, including Gonzales and Addis.
Greater Baton Rouge Community Tennis Association
The Greater Baton Rouge Community Tennis Associations provides citizens of the Capital Region with many opportunities for competitive tennis. A member of the United States Tennis Association, GBRCTA features Adult and Junior programs with year-round events.
Pride-Zachary-Baker Sports Leagues
The BREC League Sports Department offers summer sports leagues at Pride Park, located in the Pride community. In the summer of 2006, tee-ball, coaches-pitch, and 14-17 co-ed softball were offered. These leagues are very competitive and well supported by the communities of Pride and Zachary.
In East Feliciana Parish, recreational leagues are based in the Town of Jackson and the Town of Clinton. For more information on becoming involved, contact:
Town of Jackson Town Hall
225.634.7777
Town of Clinton
225.683.5531
Iberville Parish Parks & Recreation District is home to several exciting sports leagues for the entire family. From flag football and basketball to baseball and softball, in Iberville Parish there is a sport for everyone. To sign up for the latest season of league play, view pictures of this year's sports teams, or find out about age requirements, visit the IRPD website or contact:
Mike Markins, Executive Director
Iberville Parish Parks & Recreation District
P. O. Box 1060
Plaquemine, LA. 70765-1060
225.687.0641
Recreation in Livingston Parish is divided into several recreational districts.
District 1 - The Town of Walker offers several league sports including baseball, basketball, and flag-football. For more information, contact:
Walker Parks and Recreation
225.667.5777
District 2 - For information about getting involved in league sports in the Watson area, contact:
Recreation District #2
225.664.6043
District 3 - Anyone living in District 3 or a child attending a Denham Springs school is eligible for a variety of league sports. However, District 3's Soccer league program is open to all residents of Livingston parish. Visit the Denham Springs Parks and Recreation Web site for more information.
District 5 - For information about getting involved in league sports in the Livingston area, contact:
John Watson
225.686.7044
District 6 - To learn more about how you can be involved in league sports in the Albany area, contact:
Benjamin Foster
225.925.6108
District 8 - For information on league sports in the Springfield area, contact:
Recreation District #8
225.294.8377
District 9 - If you live in the Maurepas area and would like more information on league sports, contact:
Recreation District #9
225.695.6390
At the Scott Civic Center and False River Park & Recreation, families can enjoy baseball, football, basketball, and the parish sponsored children's leagues for competitive play. For more information on how to be involved, contact:
Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce, 225.638.3500
In St. Helena Parish, the Helena Enrichment Learning Program (HELP) organizes football, basketball, and baseball leagues. For more information on becoming involved with HELP contact:
Richard Womack, HELP Vice President
225.936.1300
For information about getting involved in league sports or taking advantage of the recreational opportunities at one of the many West Baton Rouge Parks, contact:
Reggie Williams, Director
P.O. Box 757
749 North Jefferson St
Port Allen, LA 70767
225.346.2426
West Feliciana Parish Sports Park is a new an exciting baseball and softball facility in West Feliciana Parish. The Sports Park hosts several leagues including soccer, flag-football, softball, baseball, and more. For more information on the fun and excitement of West Feliciana league play, contact:
Jack Hains
PO Box 1921
St. Francisville, Louisiana 70775
225.784.8447
www.wfsportspark.com
Spectator Sports
In South Louisiana, there is no more popular event than a Saturday afternoon spent tailgating on the LSU campus in anticipation of Tiger Football in Death Valley (Tiger Stadium). Dozens of motor homes arrive throughout the day on the Friday before Game Day, caravans of cars flying purple and gold flock to campus, and enthusiastic fans fire up their grills as fans prepare to cheer on the LSU Tigers, the 2003 National Champions and 2006 Peach Bowl champions.
Across the street in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, you can see some of the SEC's best basketball players dribble it out in fast-paced basketball matches. LSU's men and women both played in the Final Four in 2006 and have drawn an allegiance of fans from throughout the state. LSU also boasts several other nationally recognized athletic programs including baseball, track, and gymnastics. To check out all the action, visit http://www.lsusports.net/.
A dominant force in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, Southern University is another top provider of exciting sports action in the Capital Region.
Winners of the 2003 National Black College Championship, Southern University football games are another hot ticket in the area. Add to that the excitement of top baseball and basketball action and it's obvious why Southern is an 11-time winner of the Dr. James Frank Commissioner’s Cup, the award given to the most outstanding athletic conference in the SWAC. To be a part of the excitement, check out gojagsports.cstv.com.
Golf
The Capital Region features a variety of challenging and fun public golf courses, as well as numerous private and semi-private clubs. BREC operates one of the largest municipal golf systems in the United States. Seven courses, including premium courses Santa Maria and Beaver Creek, spread throughout East Baton Rouge Parish, offering challenges to golfers of all levels at extremely reasonable prices.
In addition, two championship layouts on Louisiana's Audubon Golf Trail are located in our area. The Island, located in Plaquemine, is a Mike Young design carved out of the bayous and sugarcane fields of Iberville Parish, while Carter Plantation is a nationally acclaimed David Toms-design located near Springfield in Livingston Parish.
