Basketball
Lexington Parks & Recreation has numerous basketball courts and leagues throughout the city for casual to competitive players to enjoy. There are over 50 locations with basketball courts in the city, including many parks, often with multiple courts, and three indoor community centers. In addition, Parks & Recreation offers a variety of basketball leagues throughout the year. The historic Dirt Bowl summer basketball league takes place at Douglass Park each summer, and the winter Charlotte Court league takes place from December – February in the community centers. Competitive pickup games can often be found at Shillito Park, Jacobson Park, and Dunbar Community Center courts.
Basketball Leagues & Locations
Click to expand the section below for more information about court locations and basketball leagues being offered.
Park Court Locations
- Addison Park – 2 goals
- Berry Hill Park – 2 goals
- Brucetown Park – 2 goals
- Burley Park – 2 goals
- Cardinal Run Park North – 2 goals
- Castlewood Community Center – 2 goals
- Castlewood Park – 2 goals
- Charles Young Park – 2 goals
- Constitution Park – 4 goals
- Coolavin Park – 2 goals
- Dixie Park – 1 goal
- Douglass Park – 6 goals
- Dunbar Community Center – 6 goals
- Duncan Park – 2 goals
- Ecton Park – 1 goal
- Elizabeth Street Park – 1 goal
- Gainesway Park – 2 goals
- Garden Springs Park – 1 goal
- Green Acres – 4 goals
- Harrods Hill –2 goals
- Highlands Park – 2 goals
- Hill-N-Dale Park – 2 goals
- Idelhour Park – 1 goals
- Jacobson Park – 4 goals
- Johnson Heights Park – 1 goal
- Kenawood Park – 1 goal
- Kenwick Community Center – 2 goals
- Kenwick Park – 1 goal
- Kirklevington Park – 2 goals
- Lansdowne - Merrick Park – 2 goals
- Lou Johnson – 2 goals
- Marlboro – 2 goals
- Martin Luther King Park – 4 goals
- Mary Todd Park – 2 goals
- Masterson Hills Park – 1 goal
- Meadowbrook Park – 1 goal
- Meadowthrope Park – 2 goals
- Mount Tabor – 2 goals
- Oakwood – 2 goals
- Pine Meadows – 1 goal
- River Hill – 2 goals
- Shllito Park – 4 goals
- Southland Park – 1 goal
- Speigle Heights – 2 goals
- Thompson Road Park – 1 goal
- Valley Park – 2 goals
- Veterans Park – 1 goal
- Waverly Park – 2 goals
- Whitney Young Park – 2 goals
- Wildwood Park – 2 goals
- Woodhill Park – 2 goals
- Woodland Park – 4 goals
Dirt Bowl Summer Basketball League
The men's Dirt Bowl summer basketball league is played on the outdoor courts at Douglass Park (798 Georgetown Street.)
- For ages 17 years and up
- Sundays and Thursdays
2023 Organizational Meeting: May 1, 2023 | 6:30 p.m. at Dunbar Community Center
Cost: $225 per team (registration accepted by teams only)
Lexington Parks & Recreation's Dirt Bowl summer basketball league is considered one of the premier summer leagues in the country. It's alumni include University of Kentucky's Melvin Turpin, Jack "Goose" Givens and James Lee; Darrell Griffith of University of Louisville; and Kentucky State University's Billy Ray Bates.
The basketball courts were renovated in 2007 and again in 2023. The courts, which were originally dirt (hence the "Dirt Bowl" league name), grew and expanded over time, with three fully paved courts currently at the park.
If you have questions, please contact Jacquelyn French at (859) 288-2955.
Super Sunday – Dirt Bowl Showcase
Sunday, July 16, 2023
3:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Douglass Park
Schedule
3:30 p.m. – Clippers vs Hurricanes
4:30 p.m. – Wizards vs Heat
5:30 p.m. – Rockets vs Pacers
6:30 p.m. – Team Mary vs Team Ariel
7:30 p.m. – Men’s All-Star Game
Super Sunday highlights teams that play in Lexington Parks & Recreation's legendary Dirt Bowl summer basketball league, which has been around since the early 1970s. It includes special entertainment, concessions, and vendors selling their wares. Sports Illustrated came in 1983 and covered the event since Dirt Bowl is considered one of the premier summer leagues in the country.
For additional vendor information, call Georgetown Neighborhood Association at (859) 233-3036 (leave a message).
S.T. Roach Basketball Clinic
Founded by legendary basketball coach and civic leader, Sanford T. Roach, these clinics offer young people the opportunity to participate in this structured basketball and cheerleading clinic at no cost.
The clinics are taught by former and current high school coaches and college players. Participants will learn basic fundamentals, teamwork and sportsmanship in a fun environment.
Charlotte Court League
Charlotte Court is a partnership program with Lexington Parks & Recreation that was founded in 1999 by Robert "Nimbo" Hammons. Nimbo was a former resident of the Charlotte Court housing projects located off of Georgetown St. After college, Nimbo decided to give back to the community and help youth academically and athletically with a non-profit organization. The youth basketball league serves 7 –12 year old boys and girls.
Charlotte Court takes place at Dunbar Community Center and Castlewood Community Center, December – February.