This Month

April 2024

Ready to be fool-y aware of all our spring fun? It's no joking matter just how much parks & rec goodness we have packed into this month. Get on the mat or break out the bikes if you want to get moving. And for you artists - we're here to pack your calendar whether you want to show off or learn how to draw with a splash of wine. And if you want to learn about local nature from an assortment of experts, don't miss this year's Bioblitz! All this and more - this month at BREC!

Vibin’ Yoga

Independence Botanic Gardens Lawn

Vibing yoga combines traditional yoga techniques with the rhythms and flows of hip-hop music. This workout combines elements of yoga and trapeze arts, that creates a full-body workout with a healthy dose of fun. Vibing Yoga may be the new start you are looking for. Come in and embrace a new journey of self-discovery, strengthening your personal yoga practice and learning a new skill. All classes will now be followed by an hour of Power Up Yoga.
April 4 + 18 / 6-7 p.m.
April 27 / 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Power Up Yoga

Independence Botanic Gardens Lawn

Now let’s take it to the next step and Power Up to it. Power Yoga is this style combines the athletics of Ashtanga with the flow of Vinyasa. Power yoga practice can include almost any yoga pose, put together in sequences designed to build strength and endurance.
April 4 + 18 / 7-8 p.m.
April 27 / 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Zippity Zoo Fest

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo will hold its annual spring festival, Zippity Zoo Fest. Celebrate the Zoo's 54th Birthday this year!!! We’ll have a Children's Village, education stations, a food court, and animal encounters.
April 6-7
9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

J.S. Clark Championship Golf Tournament

J.S. Clark Golf Course

36 Holes: Stroke Play
April 6 + 7

Comite Classic

Comite River Conservation Area

Test your mountain bike skills at the Comite Classic! Sign up for either our 1 loop (5 mi.) novice division or our 3 loop (15 mi.) advance division. Each loop is approximately 5 miles. After the race join us for food and fun. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each division.
April 6
9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Adult Game Night

Jefferson Highway Park

Come and join us in a night full of fun that will include refreshments and a variety of games including dominoes, card games, bingo and many more. Sit back, relax and enjoy a game night strictly meant for adults
April 7
6-8 p.m.

Partial Solar Eclipse

Highland Road Park Observatory

This is the second of two eclipses visible from Baton Rouge within the last 6 months! We enjoyed the first on October 14, 2023 and the second comes on April 8, 2024. Here in Baton Rouge, we’ll witness an eclipse with greater coverage than what we saw in 2017 and 2023. HRPO will be updating with more comprehensive information, links and safety guidelines for this impressive celestial event. Mark your calendar to bring the whole family to this amazing astronomical event.
April 8
10:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Zoo & Me Mornings

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo

This program is designed for 3 to 5-year-old children accompanied by a parent or guardian. Every Zoo & Me Morning incorporates exciting activities including animal encounters, art projects, "Zooper" snacks and many other hands-on projects that you and your child can enjoy together
April 9
9:30-11:30 a.m.

Flex, Body and Stretch

Anna T. Jordan Community Park

Start the year right with learning how to strengthen your body followed by stretching exercises! This beginner friendly class will show you how to use your body-weight to build muscle followed by proper stretching techniques to help you to increase your flexibility and range motion.
April 10
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Arts Fest @ Baringer

Baringer Art Center

This family fun fest will be held at BREC’s Baringer Art Center. Join BREC Art for a morning of cool art demos, projects for young artists, puppy sketching, BREC on the Geaux, music, art vendors, installations and much more! Meet our staff, tour the Baringer Art Center, make friends with an artist and fill your morning with creative ideas, great art and a few surprises!Are you bananas for bicycles? Join us for Baton Rouge's third annual bike festival. Come enjoy velodrome demonstrations, free rides on BREC's BMX track, BMX skate park competition, and a guided bicycle rides along the Pennington Trail. This event will feature many bike related organizations throughout East Baton Rouge Parish and aims to support two-wheeled locomotion and a love for all this bicycling. It'll be wheely fun!
April 13
10 a.m.-1 p.m.

BR Bike Fest

Perkins Road Community Park

Are you bananas for bicycles? Join us for Baton Rouge's third annual bike festival. Come enjoy velodrome demonstrations, free rides on BREC's BMX track, BMX skate park competition, and a guided bicycle rides along the Pennington Trail. This event will feature many bike related organizations throughout East Baton Rouge Parish and aims to support two-wheeled locomotion and a love for all this bicycling. It'll be wheely fun!
April 13
10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Let’s Geaux Tie Dye

Jefferson Highway Park

Let's learn the basic art of tie dye! Join us to create your own colorful pieces. Bring your shirt, bag, hat or anything you would like to tie dye.
April 13
noon-2 p.m.

Family Karaoke in the Park

Jackson Community Park

What's your go to karaoke song? Be prepared to step into the spotlight and unleash your inner rockstar during Family Karaoke in the Park! While you're not on stage, enjoy refreshments, board games, inflatables, fun family photos and more! Singing abilities not required!
April 13
1-3 p.m.

Rec Non-Stoppers Basketball Tournament

Monte Sano Park

The mighty Non-Stoppers Consist of players from the community. The Non-Stopper's motto is that they never want to take a break. This program teaches them man-to-man defense, teamwork, and other fundamentals like dribbling, passing, and shooting. Register in-person or online.
April 16
4-6 p.m.

Glow in the Park: Volleyball

Anna T. Jordan Community Park

Ready... Set... Glow! Gather friends and family for glow-in-the-dark team-based games at locations throughout the parish.
April 18
6-7:30 p.m.

Wild Wine Walk

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo

The Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation is thrilled to announce our 4th Annual Wild Wine Walk will be held this year on Friday, April 19th! We invite guests aged 21 and older to flock to the Baton Rouge Zoo to enjoy this after-hours event featuring wines from a wide variety of vendors. Stroll through the many realms of the Baton Rouge Zoo while sipping wine, enjoying local cuisine, and taking in the sounds of our live music! Guests can also take the time to meet with our Ambassador Animals up close and personal.
April 19
5-7:30 p.m.

Sunshine Social: Tie Dye Time

Milton J. Womack Park

Dance the night away with BREC Adaptive and Families Helping Families as we host our monthly Sunshine Socials for adults and teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their friends and family. Be creative and dress to match each month's theme. Enjoy dinner, dancing, and door prizes.
April 19
6-9 p.m.

Four-Ball Challenge Golf Tournament

Beaver Creek Golf Course

18 Holes: 2 Player: Better-ball
April 20

Blitzball Tournament

Lovett Road Park

This new game is similar to whiffle ball, but uses a unique patent-pending baseball design that allows players to add more spin and speed to each pitch! Blitzball is a great way to challenge players and add a unique twist to the game. This will be a 1 day tournament. Register as in individual or as a team in-person or online
April 20
10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sweet Tooth Designs

Church Street Park

Sometimes it’s okay to play with your food, especially if you’re making it into a masterpiece! Come out to Sweet Tooth Designs where we’ll learn the basics of cookie decorating along with learning some healthy habits to incorporate in your daily routines. All participants will get to take their cookie home of course, if you can resist a bite!
April 24
6-7 p.m.

Art UnWINEd: Costumed Figure Drawing

Baringer Art Center

Tired of the same ol’ paint and drink?! If so, then check out BREC’s adult- only, fun and creative grown-up creative time outs. Each of these classes are designed to encourage and inspire while enjoying beverages and nibbles. All art supplies, nibbles and adult (or not) beverages included. Great for friend get-togethers, bridal parties, corporate team building or just making new friends! Private ART UnWINEd bookings are also available. Must be 21 to join the fun.
For this Art UnWined participants will sketch and draw a live, clothed, model. The model will pose for one minute gesture drawings, followed by longer poses of 25 minutes. Participants should bring their own drawing materials and sketch pad or paper. Anything goes! Graphite, charcoal, paints or mixed media materials are all welcome in this “artist’s choice” class. Participants will have the freedom to explore and create on their own. There will be a timekeeper for the poses, but the evening is self-guided. Wine, Champagne, and nibbles will be provided.
April 26
6:30-8:30 p.m.

BioBlitz 2024

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Grab your field guides and boots and join BREC naturalists and local scientists as we explore and document the diversity of life of Bluebonnet Swamp nature Center
April 26 + 27

H.I.I.T. Class

Anna T. Jordan Community Park

Are you ready to learn how to turn up the intensity of your exercise routine by moving your body in different ways? HIIT is a type of interval training exercise. It incorporates several timed rounds that alternate between high intensity movements to significantly increase your heart rate to at least 80% of your maximum heart rate, followed by short periods of lower intensity exercises.
April 27
10:30-11:30 a.m.

STEM Expansion

Highland Road Park Observatory

Advanced demonstrations and topic extensions for an older teen crowd. Archived experiments including some not seen in over fifteen years, are joined with timely, cutting-edge demos and concepts. Certificates earned by participants. Registration closes the Friday before class.
April 27
3:30-7:30 p.m.