The Jackie Robinson Playground in Brooklyn has received a full-court transformation, thanks to a $2.1 million initiative from the Social Justice Fund, in partnership with NYC Parks.

The newly renovated basketball court is now open, offering students from P.S. 21 and community members of all ages a fresh space to play, connect, and grow.

"For them to be able to have a brand-new basketball court, to be able to have fitness opportunities and be able to enjoy socially with each other, it's what the New York City Parks is all about," said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa at the court unveiling.

The revitalized space boasts brand-new backboards, nets, benches and even a water bottle filler - features that aren't just cosmetic, but part of a broader mission to provide safe, healthy environments for the community.

The grand reopening was made even more special with guest appearances from professional coaches with the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, who ran basketball clinics and skill-building sessions with local students. For kids like Kennedy, the experience was unforgettable.

"I like basketball, and I love the Nets and the Liberty's. It's a good experience for me and I will always remember this memory," Kennedy shared with a smile.

Beyond the surface improvements, the project is rooted in a deeper purpose: community investment and violence prevention.

Social Justice Fund executive director Gregg Bishop emphasized the power of recreational spaces to create positive change.

"If you have the facilities, if you make the investment in the facilities, then that would solve the ‘keep young people busy’ problem,” Bishop explained. And this playground is just the start.

Residents are encouraged to nominate local parks and courts in need of repair by visiting The Social Justice Fun website, where the organization is actively seeking new spaces to transform.

NYC Parks and the Social Justice Fund are clear: it is more than a facelift; it's a long-term investment in the city's youth and the communities they call home. With more projects on the horizon, the game plan is to empower neighborhoods, one court at a time.

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