After two years of community fundraising, McCarren Tennis Association is ready to usher in “a new era of evening tennis.” On Sept. 23, Williamsburg residents celebrated the installation of LED lights, which expands lighting from three to all seven of the park’s courts.
The Lights Up McCarren grand opening included a ceremonial switching on of the lights and a first serve from NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. Residents enjoyed free ice cream, coffee and bagels, and a One Point Slam competition –– a 64-person head-to-head battle.
As the night wound down around 9:30 pm, tennis players chatted and practiced their volleys under the bright lights. The outpouring of community support proves that this is just one step toward MTAC’s mission to bring tennis to all residents.
“At its core, this project is about equity and community building," said Javier Bart Javier, director of the McCarren Tennis Association. "MTAC is dedicated to supporting and growing tennis at McCarren Park as a vehicle for public health and wellness."
MTAC is a grassroots organization founded in 2009 dedicated to maintaining the park’s courts and promoting accessible tennis across North Brooklyn. In its first year of operation, spirited MTAC members took it upon themselves to resurface one of the courts. Now, they’ve been tirelessly working to fund the expansion of the busy tennis hub.
Through USTA grants and business and individual donations, the organization has raised more than $250,000 since 2024 for Light Up McCarren which includes the installation of new lights as well as covering needed repairs.
Javier believes the LED installation will create a combined extra month of tennis play in early spring and late fall.
Williamsburg residents Shamira Kabir, Andie Pinga and Amanda Li were among attendees in support of their neighborhood park. tThough they’re tennis fans and have played at the McCarren courts before, high permit costs have limited their gameplay. In New York City, a tennis permit costs $100 per season or $15 for a single evening. Even with a permit, there’s still the matter of making a reservation and waiting in line to play.
“With more lights, hopefully there’s more availability,” said Kabir.
“They’re HD, super bright,” added Li. “People can play all night.”
