The city on Wednesday unveiled the new and improved basketball courts at Breukelen Ballfield in East New York.
With a significant investment from the Social Justice Fund — run by Clara Wu Tsai, who owns the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty alongside her husband Joe Tsai — the courts were given new pavement with a fresh color seal coat, modern backboards and hoops, new bleachers, and more.
Parks Department commish Sue Donoghue joined Wu Tsai, students from the Fresh Creek School P.S. 325, and Principal Jesse Fields for an unveiling ceremony at the courts on Oct. 30.
“At Parks, we know that beautiful, well-maintained public parks and playgrounds are vital for livable and safe communities,” Donoghue said. “By upgrading the basketball courts here at Breukelen Ballfields, we’re ensuring that New Yorkers of all ages, and particularly young people, have an engaging space to connect with their neighbors and have some safe fun.”
According to Wu Tsai, the renovation of the Breukelen Ballfield is a testament to the commitment of the Liberty and Nets under the Adopt-A-Park program, which funded a comprehensive makeover of the basketball courts.
“Athletics can transform both the body and spirit and build positive habits and lifelong friendships. That’s why we are so committed to establishing a community-first basketball experience across the borough,” she said. “From clinics in our local schools to refurbishing courts in our playgrounds and parks, we are committed to fostering an environment that inspires and connects Brooklynites to one another.”
Other courtside improvements include improved drainage to prevent flooding, reinforced backboard structures with durable backboards and nets, brand-new fences, benches, an accessible bottle-filling station, and three-tier bleachers for spectators — creating a vibrant and inviting space for recreation enthusiasts.
In addition to Breukelen Ballfields, the Social Justice Fund funded similar renovations at Jackie Robinson Playground in Crown Heights and Fox Playground in Flatlands.
The parks were selected in collaboration with the parks department as part of the Fund’s racial justice initiative. The team often focuses on areas affected by gun violence to provide essential resources for local organizations and stimulate further community investments.
The $1.8 million investment by the Social Justice Fund entirely funded the complete renovation of the Breukelen Ballfield courts and the improvements at the three other Brooklyn parks.
