Upgraded Basketball Court Opens at Wagner Houses
A newly renovated basketball court is officially ready for play at NYCHA’s Wagner Houses in Harlem.
Mayor Bill de Blasio took some of the first shots with local youth on May 7, after he was joined by NYPD leaders, other law enforcement officials, and community members to cut the ribbon for the opening of the redesigned recreation space. The Mayor noted that the project represents an investment for the community’s children.
“We want our children to have positive alternatives,” Mayor de Blasio said. “This is part of our Safe Summer NYC plan. This is about how we work together to keep everyone safe this summer. It can only be done with the community, working together with police. We’re all in this together and investing.”
The Wagner court is the first to open among 14 other renovated basketball sites that are scheduled to debut at NYCHA developments through the end of this year. The court projects have been funded by the NYPD through asset forfeiture revenue provided by the District Attorney of New York, an investment totaling $4 million.
In supporting the recreational improvements at NYCHA, the NYPD aims to keep local youth active during the warmer months and provide safer spaces for residents to enjoy.
“This is a commitment on our part that we’re putting our money where our mouth is, taking money, resources from the PD, and working with all of the partners,” New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said. “That’s the beauty of this effort; it’s a collaborative effort. We’re all coming together because we all know what’s important – the kids of this community.”
NYCHA’s Executive Vice President for Community Engagement and Partnerships Sideya Sherman said, “We know that a basketball court is more than just a place for play; it’s where we build community, it’s how we stay active, how we keep safe, and also how many of us learn the lessons that we need to be able to reach our full potential in life.”
Each of the upgraded basketball courts that will be opening at NYCHA were developed with the assistance of residents and community stakeholders, who provided feedback on how the site should be designed for their development.
“The residents of Wagner Houses chose the paint, the pattern, and the design, and they developed this basketball court,” Ms. Sherman noted. “The young people of Wagner in particular should be proud, because this is all you. It is a testament to what we can do when we work together.”
Photo caption: Mayor Bill de Blasio takes a shot on a new basketball court that opened at Wagner Houses as part of Safe Summer NYC. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.