Dozens came together Friday to celebrate the reopening of the newly-renovated Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr. Park.

The park was renamed in 2001 to honor Nicholas Naquan Neyward Jr., who was shot and killed by a police officer back in 1994.

The Barclays Center supported the renovation along with the Parks Department, and neighbors were surprised by the attendance of Nets players who joined the event to honor Heyward, cut the opening ribbon, and participate in the opening of the completely refurbished basketball court.

Nicholas Heyward says he knows his son would love the changes and hopes the updates help kids for years to come.

“Nicholas Jr. wanted to be a basketball player,” he says. “So the fact that the Nets did play a part in doing this, wow it's amazing."