The renovated basketball court at Tompkins Square Park. Image Credit: NYC Parks / Daniel Avila.
On June 27, 2024, the New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, in collaboration with Glossier, Project Backboard, and artist Na Chainkua Reindorf, celebrated the refurbishment and redesign of basketball courts at Tompkins Square Park. The basketball courts are located at Tompkins Square Park, E. 10th Street and Avenue B.
Through the Adopt-A-Park program, new hoops were installed on the basketball courts, and the courts were repainted. The Adopt-a-Park program provides funding to revitalize overgrown, underdeveloped, or abandoned parks. Tompkins Square Park is equipped with two playgrounds, a handball court, chess tables, and a basketball court. Artist Na Chainkua Reindorf’s designed the basketball courts by utilizing a West African Folklore vision and incorporated a stylized eye which is a recurring symbol of her work.
NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue stated, “This partnership brings together creativity and community spirit to enliven the courts and spread an important message about women’s empowerment in sports. NYC Parks is excited to continue bringing public art to New Yorkers in this park and around the city, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have on our NYC communities.”
Kyle Leahy, CEO of Glossier stated, “We’re thrilled to unveil this stunning court refurbishment project in partnership with Na Reindorf, Project Backboard, and the NYC Parks Department. As the beauty partner of the WNBA, this work of public art is an extension of our efforts over the past few years: celebrating women in sport and bringing people together. We’re grateful to bring this to life with our incredible partners in the city that Glossier calls home, just one year after we shot an award-winning WNBA campaign on these exact Tompkins Square Park courts.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated, “The relationship with Glossier continues to highlight unity and celebrate women in sports. Tompkins Square Park set the scene for our Stretch campaign with Glossier, and by refurbishing the venue alongside Project Backboard, we’re reminded of our partnership’s enduring impact and outward extension to the community.”
By: Chelsea Ramjeawan (Chelsea is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2025.)