Breukelen Ballfields

Full renovation of East New York basketball courts was part of ongoing $1.8 million initiative by Social Justice Fund upgrading courts in neighborhoods with acute levels of gun violence

Today, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue joined New York Liberty and Brooklyn Nets owner—as well as founder of the Social Justice Fund—Clara Wu Tsai, New York State Senator Roxanne Persaud, New York City Councilmember Chris Banks, Principal Jesse Fields and students from Fresh Creek School PS325, and members of the community to celebrate a full renovation of the basketball courts at Breukelen Ballfield in East New York.

Through the Adopt-A-Park program, the Liberty and the Nets sponsored a complete makeover of the park’s basketball courts, including new pavement with a fresh color seal coat, new backboards and hoops, bleachers, and more. Breukelen Ballfields is one of four locations selected for upgrades by Social Justice Fund, in partnership with NYC Parks, as part of the Fund’s racial justice initiative, bringing vital recreation opportunities and state-of-the-art amenities to Brooklyn neighborhoods experiencing acute levels of gun violence.

“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,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “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.”

“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,” said Clara Wu Tsai, vice chair of BSE Global and owner of the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty. “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.”

The renovated courts are now equipped with a brand-new repaved surface complete with vibrant color seal coat and new lines, new drainage to prevent flooding, and a new basketball stanchion featuring lexan backboards and new hoops with nets. Additionally, the space has been equipped with new fences, benches, an accessible bottle-filling station, and even three-tier bleachers for spectators, creating a beautiful and engaging space for New Yorkers to hoop, watch a game, or just take in the fresh air.

In addition to Breukelen Ballfields in East New York, the Social Justice Fund has sponsored renovations to basketball courts at Jackie Robinson Playground in Crown Heights, Fox Playground in Flatlands, and in Sunset Park. The sites were selected in consultation with NYC Parks as part of the Social Justice Fund’s racial justice initiative. By targeting these investments in neighborhoods with acute levels of gun violence, as well as in the Social Justice Fund’s corporate backyard of Sunset Park, NYC Parks and the Social Justice Fund aim to provide a new resource for local organizations and serve as a catalyst for additional investments in those communities.

This full renovation of the Breukelen Ballfield courts and the improvements at three other Brooklyn parks were funded by $1.8 million from the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation’s Social Justice Fund.