Low Cost Fun at Parks!

Times are tough all over but everyone still needs a chance to recreate and relieve stress from the everyday work/school world. Going to a park for fun is the best value around when trying to get the most for your hard-earned money.  Here are some ideas of things you can do:

• All of the Broward County Parks - when open during the week - do not charge an admission fee.  So, if your day off is Monday (and it's not a holiday), you can come to the park and there's no gate fee!  Check the hours of your favorite park on the hours page.
  
  
• Even on weekends and holidays, the gate admission into the parks is only $1.50 per person (children age 5 and under are free).  There is no time limit and you can actually save your receipt and leave the park and come back and not pay the gate admission again on the same day!    This is not well known either, but if you save your gate admission receipt at one Broward County park, you can actually enter another Broward County park on the same day and not pay the gate admission.  For example, you want to enjoy the Skate Park at Brian Piccolo and then decide to go to C.B. Smith for a picnic on a Saturday.  You will pay the gate admission at Brian Piccolo and then just show your receipt at C.B. Smith for entry!
  
  
• Once you have gotten into the park, depending on the park you have chosen, you can find other free things to do.  The following offer free facilities on a first-come, first-served basis (does not include gate admission on weekends):
  
  
  • Free use full basketball courts at
    Brian Piccolo Park
    C.B. Smith Park
    Central Broward Regional Park
    T.Y. Park
    West Lake Park
    
    
  • Free disc golf at Easterlin and Tradewinds.  There will be an expense to purchase the special discs used for this but then they are yours to keep.
    
    

  • Jogging or walking paths at
    Brian Piccolo Park
    C.B. Smith Park
    Central Broward Regional Park
    Hollywood North Beach Park
    Markham Park
    Plantation Heritage Park
    Quiet Waters Park
    Tree Tops Park
    T.Y. Park
    West Lake Park
    

  • Nature trails (experience the beauty of our South Florida environment) at
    Central Broward Regional Park
    Crystal Lake Sand Pine Natural Area
    Deerfield Island Park
    Easterlin Park
    Fern Forest Nature Center
    Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area
    Long Key Natural Area
    Markham Park
    Pine Island Ridge
    Plantation Heritage Park
    Secret Woods Nature Center
    Snake Warrior's Island
    Tall Cypress Natural Area
    Tradewinds Park
    Tree Tops Park
    West Lake Park
    Woodmont Natural Area
    

  • Stargazing on Saturday evenings only at Markham Park is totally free for the whole family at the Fox Observatory.
    

  • Free use racquetball/handball courts at
    C.B. Smith Park
    Markham Park
    West Lake Park
    

  • Free use tennis courts at
    Central Broward Regional Park
    Markham Park
    T.Y. Park
    West Lake Park
    

  • Bring your own ball and play volleyball at
    Brian Piccolo Park
    C.B. Smith Park
    Deerfield Island Park
    Easterlin Park
    Hollywood North Beach Park
    Markham Park
    Plantation Heritage Park
    Quiet Waters Park
    Tradewinds Park
    Tree Tops Park
    T.Y. Park
    West Lake Park
    

  • Got a doggy?  Markham Park's dog park is free for dogs and owners.

  • Got a fishing pole and a proper state license?  You can fish at any of our parks that have water.

  • And don't forget picnics!  There is never a charge to use any of the picnic tables located throughout any of the parks.  They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you want your table under a shelter, then there are deposits and reservations involved.

If you ever come across another way to have fun without the expense at a Broward County Park and want to share, please feel free to contact us at parksweb@broward.org.