In September, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation donated $50,000 to renovate four existing basketball courts in the Old Fourth Ward’s Central Park. On Sunday, they revealed the four brand new courts to more than 250 people, the City of Atlanta, the Old Fourth Ward community and Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall in support of his Year of Boulevard initiative.
In attendance to celebrate the dedication were Atlanta Hawks players Al Horford, Lou Williams, Jeff Teague, Devin Harris, Ivan Johnson and John Jenkins; Duriya Farooqui, Chief Operating Officer, City of Atlanta; Kwanza Hall, Atlanta District 2 City Councilmember; Bob Williams, President, Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena; and Danny Ferry, President of Basketball Operations and General Manager, Atlanta Hawks.
“The Atlanta Hawks, the Old Fourth Ward and the Year of Boulevard are examples of why we are proud to celebrate Atlanta,” said Bob Williams, President of the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena. “Our hope is that together, we have done something that will create a positive change for our city and this neighborhood.”
The restored basketball courts at Central Park will serve more than 500 kids under the age of 18 through summer basketball leagues and after school programming as well as host the Atlanta Hawks Kia Summer Hoops Tour, a free, one day clinic that teaches the fundamentals of basketball to youths in the metro Atlanta community. The $50,000 donation from the Atlanta Hawks Foundation is the first investment in the neighborhood park in more than a decade and the largest single donation to the Year of Boulevard initiative to date.
“Atlanta is fortunate to have a basketball team with players that not only give their all on the court but give back to the community,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “With this donation to renovate the Central Park basketball courts, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation demonstrates a genuine dedication to our children and their future.”
Each of the basketball courts received new paving, painting, backboards and rims with the Atlanta Hawks logo reflected at center court. The courts are open to the public year-round.
“On behalf of everyone who cares about the Boulevard corridor, I want to thank the Atlanta Hawks for believing in us,” stated Kwanza Hall, Atlanta District 2 City Councilmember. “You have set the bar high for our kids and our families in the heart of the city.”
The Central Park court renovation is also part of NBA Cares Week (Oct. 22 – 29) where the NBA and its teams and players participate in events and activities across the country to support the communities in which we live, work and play. NBA Cares Week events are being led by players, legends, coaches, and executives in an effort to give back to the community in the areas of education, health and wellness and hands-on service.
“Public-private partnerships such as the one we celebrate today are critical to the City’s success in growing and sustaining healthy communities,” said Duriya Farooqui, Chief Operating Officer of the City of Atlanta.
For more information on The Atlanta Hawks and all of the team’s community outreach, please visit www.hawks.com.
For more information on the Year of Boulevard, please visit www.yoboulevard.com and District2Atlanta on Facebook.
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