A ribbon was cut on Friday to celebrate the new basketball and futsal courts and toddler playground at Tarken Recreation Center.
Among those on hand were Kathryn Ott Lovell, commissioner of the city Department of Parks and Recreation; state Sen. Tina Tartaglione; City Councilwoman Cherelle Parker; Alyssa Morris, chief of staff to state Rep. Jared Solomon; and Shante Antrom, executive director of the Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association.
Two former tennis courts were converted into two futsal courts, with goals and a divider. The basketball court was completely refurbished, with new hoops and a polycarbonate backboard. The play equipment and safety surface were installed in the 2- to 5-year-old play area.
“Does this park look wonderful or what,” Tartaglione said.
The cost was $500,000, evenly split between the city and state.
The honor of cutting the ribbon went to Sir-Ethan Merritt, 8, a third-grader at First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School who plays flag football and soccer at Tarken. ••
