Midwood

Midwood kids get new basketball, handball courts

Greenfield funds $850,000 renovation project

January 7, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey (center) helps cut the ribbon to open new basketball and handball courts at Colonel David Marcus Playground. At right is Councilmember David Greenfield. Community Board 12 Chairman Yidel Perlstein is at left. Photo courtesy Greenfield’s office
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Midwood kids who visit Colonel David Marcus Playground are now getting the chance to try out their athletic skills on new basketball and handball courts.

The city’s Parks Department renovated the courts at the playground, located at Avenue P and East Fourth Street, thanks to $850,000 in capital funding obtained by Councilmember David Greenfield (D-Midwood-Borough Park-Bensonhurst).

Greenfield and Community Board 12 Chairman Yidel Perlstein joined Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Dec. 30.

Jeffrey said that thanks to the financial support from Greenfield, “Colonel David Marcus Playground is a vital center for community fitness and recreation, and will continue to see even more upgrades in the coming year.”

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The recently completed renovation of the basketball and handball courts is just the first step in a large, multi-million dollar restoration project slated for the park, according to Greenfield’s office. During the first portion of the project, five handball courts and a basketball court were completely redone. The walls were resurfaced, the pavement was leveled and new lines were painted on the courts. The Parks Dept. also updated the drainage system on the courts and installed new benches and a new water fountain.

Upcoming work will include renovating the comfort station and the construction of new play equipment at the park. That part of the project will enter the design stage later this year. 

“Our parks benefit every single New Yorker, from the small toddler exploring a tot lot, to our seniors who can enjoy space to walk and socialize with their neighbors. We must keep these important public spaces updated and safe for use,” Greenfield said. “I am proud to have been able to secure funding to upgrade these well-used handball and basketball courts and look forward to working with the Parks Department on the next improvements to Colonel David Marcus Park.”

Since taking office in 2010, Greenfield has allocated $17 million in funding for park improvement projects in his council district.

Greenfield is currently working with the Parks Dept. on renovation projects at Gravesend Park on 18th Avenue, Seth Low Park on Bay Parkway, Di Gilio Playground on Avenue F, Friends Field on Avenue L, Kolbert Park on Avenue L and the Ocean Parkway Malls. 

Marcus Playground got its name in 1948 in tribute to Colonel David “Mickey” Marcus, a Jewish American who was killed that year during the struggle for Israeli’s independence.

Marcus, who was born in 1901, was a talented boxier, baseball, and football player, according to a biography on the Parks Dept. website. He graduated from West Point in 1924.

 


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