EPIC Sports Park, the 100-acre sports complex in west Provo, has opened select fields for free community drop-in play this season. The city announced the program rolls April through mid-October, with hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
This is a meaningful policy shift for the facility. Until this year, EPIC was reservation-only — teams and clubs paid hourly rates to rent fields, and the complex generated revenue and economic activity for the city. Now, in addition to that revenue model, one field at a time is designated for casual public use, with an A-frame sign reading "Open for Drop-In Play."
How Drop-In Play Works
The setup is simple:
- One field on the site is designated for drop-in use at any given time
- Look for A-frame signs that say "Open for Drop-In Play"
- The designated field rotates throughout the complex, so ask a park employee if you can't find it
- Standard hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., April through mid-October
- No reservation needed for the drop-in field
It's intended for casual play — pickup soccer, frisbee, catch, kids running around. The city's guidance specifically notes the drop-in field is not for team practices, organized competitions, structured training sessions, or scheduled scrimmages. Those still need to go through the regular reservation system, which costs $70–$90 per hour depending on day and use.
On-site staff and camera systems monitor field activity. Groups that misuse the drop-in space — running structured practices on it, for example — may lose access privileges.
Why the City Did This
Mayor Marsha Judkins addressed the policy directly in a social media video earlier this year, saying it was important to her that all of Provo, not just teams that can afford to rent fields, could use what she called "this beautiful park." West Provo residents in particular pushed for greater community access during the mayor's door-knocking campaign in 2025.
Provo Parks and Recreation Director Doug Robins confirmed the city was exploring options to balance community access with maintaining the high quality of play the facility was designed for. The drop-in model is the compromise — community access on one rotating field, premium reservable surfaces for the 300+ local teams that already use EPIC.
What Else Is Open
EPIC isn't the only Provo facility now open for free drop-in play. The city's announcement noted "select Provo fields" are also part of the program. Specific locations are listed on the city's parks page; the perimeter pathways, playgrounds, and picnic area at EPIC itself remain fully open to the public at all times, separate from the field designation.
If you're looking for other free outdoor options in the area, our Complete Provo Hiking Guide covers trails ranging from the easy Provo River Parkway to the difficult Y Mountain. Our Free Things to Do in Provo guide rounds up the no-cost options across the city.
Practical Details
- Where: EPIC Sports Park, west Provo (best navigated via Google Maps)
- When: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily, April through mid-October
- Cost: Free
- Parking: 1,324 spaces, free during drop-in hours
- Dogs: Not permitted inside the fenced athletic fields
- Food: Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks allowed; alcohol prohibited
- Smoking/vaping: Prohibited