Top Outdoor Basketball Courts In Connecticut

The Daily Meal Staff|Aug. 16, 2014 7:00 am EST

Getting together in decent weather to play basketball outdoors takes a little prior planning, especially in Connecticut. There are no shortage of indoor courts at high schools, gyms and community centers – but most if not all of those require at least one and often more of the players in the group to be members of the facility. Fortunately, there are a number of public parks in Connecticut that are open to all, without fees, and some of them are even lighted for nighttime play. Here are five of the top outdoor basketball courts in the Nutmeg State.

Lafayette Park
Between George St. and Madison Ave.
Bridgeport, CT 06604

The big, blacktop basketball court in Nanny Goat Park in Bridgeport is free and open to the public – and open year-round. There is only one court, but it is well maintained and the area is secured by a low fence. It is next to Nanny Goat Park, a popular children's play area that has lots of swings and slides and other fun things for little kids to do while older siblings or adult family members play hoops. Bridgeport has other public parks with outdoor courts, notably Longfellow, Upchurch, Washington and Went Field Park, but Lafayette is one of the most centrally located and has the fence and Nanny Goat Park nearby as an added bonus.

Joseph Sauer Memorial Park
6 Beaver St.
Danbury, CT 06810

The full-court, blacktop basketball court at Joseph Sauer Memorial Park in Danbury is very popular with groups and people seeking a pick-up game. The park is clean and well maintained, and there are picnic tables and chess boards for visitors to enjoy. The park and the court is open year-round to the public, and is free. The park is a long, narrow green space and is located in a pleasant, quiet neighborhood along Beaver Street near Spring and Elm Streets.

Comstock Community Center
180 School Road
Wilton, CT 06897
www.wiltonparksandrec.org

Part of the Department of Parks and Recreation of Wilton, the Comstock Community Center has two lighted outdoor basketball courts on its grounds off School Road. There are also 10 acres of soccer, baseball and other athletic fields in the complex, which is situated between the Cider Mill and Middlebrook Elementary Schools. The Wilton Garden Club helps keep the entire area clean and pretty.

Fernridge Park
567 Fern St.
West Hartford, CT 06107
www.westhartford.org/town_basketball_courts

Fernridge Park in West Hartford has everything a basketball player and their family could want for a day in the park. There are several public outdoor basketball courts to choose from, as well as a very large public pool, tennis courts and other athletic facilities. Picnic grounds and picnic tables are set all about the park, as are playgrounds (picnickers must bring their own grills, however, as none are provided). Areas of the park can be rented for parties and gatherings. Courts are open year round on a first-come, first-served basis, but there are other courts available at four other parks in town (Beachland, Kennedy, Eisenhower and Wolcott).

Gorman Park
258 May Road
East Hartford, CT 06118
www.easthartfordct.gov/parks-recreation

The town of East Hartford is committed to basketball. Its parks include nearly 20 outdoor basketball courts (along with multiple tennis courts, pools, baseball diamonds, soccer pitches and other athletic fields and playgrounds). Doctor Richard E. Gorman Park on May Road has two of those basketball courts – and both are lighted (nearby Martin Park also has two lighted outdoor courts). There is also a pavilion, a pool with water slide, a baseball field, soccer pitch and three Little League fields.

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