On October 30, 2024, New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, in collaboration with other critical stakeholders, celebrated the renovation of the basketball courts at Breukelen Ballfield in East New York, Brooklyn This $1.8 million project was funded by the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation’s Social Justice Fund. The fund provides neighborhoods facing acute levels of gun violence resources and recreation opportunities.
The renovated basketball courts are equipped with a new basketball stanchion (including lexan backboards), new hoops with nets, and new drainage. There were also new fences, benches, an accessible bottle-filling station, and three-tier bleachers for spectators added.
The Social Justice Fund also sponsored renovations to the basketball courts in Jackie Robinson Playground in Crown Heights and Fox Playground in Flatlands, and in Sunset Park. These parks were selected after the Social Justice Fund met with the New York City Parks Departments to determine which parks were affected by gun violence.
New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said, “At Parks, we know that beautiful, well-maintained public parks and playgrounds are vital for livable and safe communities. 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. I’m so grateful to our partners at the Social Justice Fund, the Nets, and the Liberty for making this renovation possible, and for their investment of almost $2 million to upgrade basketball courts throughout Brooklyn, focusing on neighborhoods with acute levels of gun violence.”
Clara Wu Tsai, Vice Chair of BSE Global and owner of the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty said, “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. 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.”
By: Chelsea Ramjeawan (Chelsea is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2025.)