Looking to mix a little fun into your rec routine? Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just looking for an excuse to get outside, these sports are easy to pick up and enjoy.
Golf
The City of Evansville’s three golf public courses include Fendrich (1900 E. Diamond Ave.), which has bridged the North and East Sides since 1950; Helfrich (1550 Mesker Park Drive), a 103-year-old West Side site that reopened in 2023 after extensive, months-long restoration; and McDonald (2905 E. Morgan Ave.), a nine-hole course on the East Side. The Farm (6901 Petersburg Road) is owned by the Evansville-Vanderburgh Airport Authority District and managed by pro golfer Dylan Meyer, who is engineering a welcoming environment for players of all ages and skill levels. Several businesses offer indoor golf simulators, and championship-quality private courses include Evansville Country Club (3810 Stringtown Road) with rolling terrain and beautiful zoysia fairways and trees; Oak Meadow Country Club (11505 Browning Road), where bunkers are strategically placed, greens are fast, and lakes come into play on 10 of the 18 holes; and Newburgh, Indiana’s Rolling Hills Country Club (1666 Old Plank Road) where each hole brings something unique.
Ice Skating
Swonder Ice Arena (209 N. Boeke Road) near Wesselman Park has year-round open skating times, as well as membership options. Swonder also is home to youth and adult hockey leagues, the Tri-State Hockey Sled Dogs team, and the Greater Evansville Figure Skating Club.
Pickleball and Tennis
Have a passion for pickleball? Grab a paddle and head to the city’s complex at Wesselman Park (551 N. Boeke Road), which offers 16 courts to get in on the action. The West Side’s Burdette Park (5301 Nurrenbern Road) has six outdoor courts, and Scott Township Park (550 Radio Ave.) north of the city adds eight to the mix. Wesselman and Burdette parks also provide tennis courts.
Swimming
Deaconess Aquatic Center (24 Don Mattingly Way) at Garvin Park provides a world class state-of-the-art indoor facility for recreational and competitive swimmers. During the hot summer months, cool off in the Olympic-size pool and watering holes for children and families at the Burdette Park Aquatic Center, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Midwest. The City of Evansville’s portfolio includes three outdoor neighborhood swimming pools — Lorraine (2399 E. Adams Ave.), Mosby (1101 S. Barker Ave.), and Rochelle-Landers (701 Lincoln Ave) — open from Memorial Day weekend to late July.
Skateboarding
Sunset Skatepark opened to much fanfare in December 2023. At 23,000 square feet, it’s Indiana’s largest concrete skatepark, with quarter pipes, bowls, rinks, multi-jump lines, ledges, and all the features a beginning or accomplished skater needs. Its location on Southeast Riverside Drive boasts impressive views along the city’s riverfront, and the venue is free and open to skaters of all ages and skill ranges.
