City Breaks Ground On New Harlem Basketball Courts

HARLEM, NY — The city Parks Department began work Wednesday on a $1 million project to create brand-new basketball courts at a West Harlem playground, city officials said.

The new basketball courts at Jacob Schiff Playground, located on West 136th Street near Amsterdam Avenue, will feature brand-new equipment such as backboards, hoops and backstops, parks officials said. The project will also bring new bleachers, an ADA-accessible water bottle filler, more benches and better lighting to the facility.

"The basketball courts are a vital part of Jacob Schiff Playground, Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver said in a statement. "With reconstructed asphalt, new seating, and improved lighting, this transformation will make the courts a better place to play and a more welcoming space for spectators."

The basketball court renovation is part of a larger project to improve Jacob Schiff Playground, city officials said. Projects to upgrade the playground's turf field and seating areas are currently in the design phase.

Renovations to the basketball court are being funding by City Councilmember Mark Levine, who pledged about $900,000 and Mayor Bill de Blasio, who pledged about $130,000, city officials said.

"The Jacob Schiff Playground is an important cornerstone of the West Harlem community and for the children who attend P.S.192 and their parents," Levine said in a statement. "The upgrades to the basketball court and the addition of bleachers will make this an even better facility and provide children of all ages a safe and fun court to play on."