Riverside Park Tennis Court Gets $125K Makeover

NEW YORK, NY — Upper West Siders serving looks can now serve tennis balls too on newly renovated courts in Riverside Park.

The “Over the Tracks” public tennis facility in Riverside Park near 119th Street and Riverside Drive underwent significant resurfacing in the last two weeks, after years of “love” affected its usability, according to Riverside Tennis Association.

The Association planned to celebrate the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday morning, but it was postponed because rainy weather.

New York Assembly Member Danny O’Donnell provided public reimbursement funds to the Riverside Park Conservancy, which paid $125,000 for the renovations, according to Mark McIntyre, Director of Riverside Tennis Association, a subsidiary of the not-for-profit Conservancy.

“Tennis is an increasingly popular sport among New Yorkers of all age[s], particularly since the start of the pandemic,” said John Herrold, the Riverside Park administrator and the Conservancy’s interim president and CEO.

"The restoration of these courts will ensure that Riverside Park can better meet the public’s high demand for court time."

The resurfacing included crack repair overlaid with a new acrylic surface coating by Sport-Tech Construction and Acrylics.

The Riverside Park tennis courts were covered in uneven cracks from years of gameplay prior to the recent renovations. (Courtesy of Riverside Tennis Association)

The project was split into two segments so that half the courts were available for gameplay during the renovation period, according to Riverside Tennis Association.

The $125,000 from O’Donnell, along with private fundraising from the Conservancy, will also finance two multi-sport courts near 105th Street in Riverside Park in the fall of 2022 with specially-designed adjustable nets, that can be used for badminton, youth tennis, volleyball and pickleball.

“The investments that we are making to restore the West 119th Street Tennis Courts and to create the new multi-sports courts at 105th Street is our promise to the next generation that we will continue to protect and invest in our public outdoor spaces and create opportunities for activity, leisure, and community,” said O’Donnell.

"I invite all residents of our community to come and make use of these courts. See you there!"