On Nov. 2, elected officials and Clara Wu Tsai, founder of the Social Justice Fund and owner of the New York Liberty and Brooklyn Nets, announced the completion of renovations of three basketball courts at Fish Playground in Brooklyn.
The announcement is part of a $2.89 million initiative to upgrade 13 total courts across five parks in the borough, specifically in neighborhoods with acute levels of gun violence.
The renovations at Fish Playground include new backboards, new nets and repaved courts with a grey, black and seafoam green finish, new benches and new water fountains.
“Play is a public good and a building block of safe, connected communities,” said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “These renovated courts will give families across Brooklyn the space to play, connect and enjoy their parks.”
Rashad Meade, principal of local high school Eagle Academy for Young Men II, said that renovations such as these are often critical in keeping students safe.
“Having these here keeps the scholars close and out of harm’s way,” said Meade. “We’re going to make full use of these new courts.”
The project will be funded through the city’s Adopt-a-Park program, which allows individuals and groups to donate to maintain and revitalize city parks.
In addition to Fish Playground, the Social Justice Fund has sponsored the renovation at Jackie Robinson Playground in Crown Heights, Breukelen Ballfields in East New York, Fox Playground in Flatlands and Sunset Park.
The sites were selected in collaboration with NYC Parks as part of the Social Justice Fund’s racial justice initiative.
“Our city’s public basketball courts are more than just places for exercise, they’re a cornerstone of community gathering and connection,” said Tsai, “Every pick-up game and every youth league brings our borough closer together.”
