For a city with just over 20,000 residents, Easley has more than its fair share of recreational riches. Eight parks offer everything from tournament-quality baseball fields to innovative playground equipment to miles of nature trails.
Among its most popular outdoor amenities is the Doodle Trail, a 7.5-mile paved pathway built on a historic railway line. The Saluda River, running east of town, offers opportunities for tubing, fishing and camping. Also available are a fitness trail, skating center, bowling alley and 18-hole golf course.
Opening in the summer of 2019 is the Nalley Brown Nature Park, a 38-acre green sanctuary with 2.5 miles of natural walking trails, a wetlands trail and observation towers. Unlike the city’s more traditional parks, this property serves as a respite from urban living, allowing visitors to explore the Piedmont landscape with its beautiful rolling hills, meandering streams and indigenous plant communities.
Among the city’s sports facilities, JB Owens Park is its biggest and best with three baseball fields, five softball fields and six multi-use fields. The park serves as home to the Senior League World Series, bringing to town some of the world’s most promising youth players to compete for the championship title in a game televised each year on ESPN. JB Owens Park also was host to the Big League World Series for 15 years before it was discontinued in 2016.
Along with its premiere baseball facilities, Easley parks also offer sand volleyball, tennis and pickleball courts, outdoor basketball, disc golf, fitness equipment, playgrounds, picnic shelters and a dog park.
In recent years, the Doodle Trail has become the city’s recreational superstar, drawing runners, walkers, cyclists and families with strollers. Harking back to Easley’s heyday as a railroad hub, the Doodle Trail follows the path of the historic train running between Easley and nearby Pickens. Along the way, visitors will enjoy scenic views of farms and pastures with the mountains looming in the background.
The summer months draw sun-seekers to the Saluda River, a tributary rising in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take a tubing trip with the Saluda River Yacht Club and enjoy a fun and relaxing float trip down this picturesque river.
If you prefer fairways to waterways, reserve a tee time at Southern Oaks Golf Course, featuring two large lakes, streams and woodlands that come into play on this outstanding 18-hole layout.
Within the city you’ll also find the Easley Skate Center, offering nighttime skating Friday and Saturday nights, and Tri-City Lanes, a 20-lane bowling center hosting late-night glow bowling Fridays and Saturdays.