Want a place full of green space, trails to try and some healthy competition? Then Fort Worth is for you, with major sports galore and plenty of parks and trail systems for those who want in on the action.

College Athletics

College athletics have their pride of place in Fort Worth. Texas Christian University’s Horned Frogs debuted in July 2012 in the Big 12 Conference for the 2012-13 school year, and 10 current and former student athletes and coaches represented TCU in the 2012 London Olympics. TCU's baseball team continues to close in on a College World Series slot, and nearby Texas Wesleyan University competes in the NAIA. Fort Worth also is home to the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

Pro Sports

As for big-name sports events, Fort Worth hosts the Crowne Plaza Invitational Golf Tournament at the Colonial Country Club each May, where spectators watch the pros take to the course that was home to legendary native son Ben Hogan. For more action, the Texas Motor Speedway hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually, as well as an IndyCar series event. Or take yourself out to the ballgame with the Fort Worth Cats at historic LaGrave Field. Want to cool off a bit? Then Texas Brahmas hockey team games at NYTEX Sports Centre are where you want to be.

Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge

One jewel of the Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department is the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the United States. With more than 20 miles of hiking trails and an interpretive center, the area offers residents and visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural history of north central Texas.

For recreation with a river view, try Trinity Trails, a system of trails along the Trinity River for walking, biking, cycling or horseback riding. The trails collectively cover 40 miles and connect with 21 parks, the Fort Worth Botanical Garden and Japanese Garden, Log Cabin Village, Fort Worth Zoo and downtown Fort Worth.

Get Ready to Ride

In Spring 2013, residents can enjoy the new central-city bike-sharing program, which includes 30 stations and 300 bikes. The bikes will have locks, lights, baskets and GPS devices to track each bike, and riders can use credit or membership cards to check bikes in and out. The program will help with mobility and connectivity through Fort Worth's most popular areas, with stations in the Hospital District and TCU, the Stockyards, the West 7th corridor and nearby Texas Wesleyan University.

Read more about fun things to do in Fort Worth, TX.