Triborough Bridge Playground B

“B” IS FOR BALLIN’: TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE PLAYGROUND B BASKETBALL COURTS REFURBISHED WITH NEW ASPHALT & COLORFUL MURAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 1, 2018
No. 7
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Queens Borough Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski yesterday joined the Director of Digital Marketing & Communications for the Big Ten Network Jordan Maleh to cut the ribbon on a refurbished basketball court at Triborough Bridge Playground B in Astoria, Queens. Big Ten school mascots joined in on the celebration, and following the speaking program, 11-year NBA veteran Jared Jeffries and trainer Chris Brickley hosted a basketball clinic for local kids from the Zone 126 program.

“The Big Ten Network has brought color and fun into this neighborhood basketball court,” said Commissioner Lewandowski. “With new rims, weather-resistant asphalt and an eye-catching mural, these hoops are sure to be a hit.”

“The basketball tradition in New York City is second to none, and it’s one of the many reasons the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament has made its way to Madison Square Garden,” said Jordan Maleh, Director of Digital Marketing and Communications at BTN. “As a network our goal was to, even in a small way, make a meaningful contribution to that culture and we’ve been fortunate to have a partner like NYC Parks to make it a reality.”

Improvements to the basketball court were fully funded by the Big Ten Network (BTN) for a total of more than $40,000. The formerly deteriorating court was outfitted with new, long lasting and weather-resistant asphalt, as well as two new polycarbonate backboards. The court is finished with a colorful mural designed by artist Mark Paul Deren, aka MADSTEEZ.

This is the first major renovation to the Triborough Bridge Playground B basketball courts in more than 20 years. The new basketball court is complemented by recent renovations to the other parcels, including: a new soccer field at Playground B that opened in fall 2017, and an adult playground with ping pong tables and fitness equipment that opened at Playground A in summer 2017. In spring 2018, construction will begin on a renovated basketball court and dog run at Triborough Bridge Playground C.

NYC Parks acquired the land that now constitutes the six Triborough Bridge Playgrounds on May 7, 1937 -- ten months after the Triborough Bridge had opened to the public. The six playgrounds, located on Hoyt Avenue North and Hoyt Avenue South between 21st and 26th streets, provide the surrounding neighborhood with a variety of recreational facilities from basketball to handball, soccer fields and open play areas.