A ribbon was cut last week to mark the reopening of the basketball courts at Officer Daniel Boyle Memorial Playground, 13045 Kelvin Ave.
City Councilman Brian O’Neill was joined by Aparna Palantino, deputy commissioner of the city Department of Parks and Recreation.
There are two full courts and two half-courts, all with new rims, nets, backboards, lines and asphalt. The cost was more than $200,000, and the hope is there will be no cracks on the courts, at least for a good number of years.
“This court will last a lot longer and keep looking nice,” O’Neill said.
Mason Burnett, a 13-year-old student at A.L. Fitzpatrick School, was the first player to make a basket on the new courts.
O’Neill thanked Palantino for being “hands-on” with these kinds of projects and rec leader Neal Regan with keeping the playground an inviting place. The councilman called Mike Verrecchio, who cares for the grounds, athletic fields and building, “the best maintenance guy I’ve ever heard of.”
O’Neill said the next move will be to address the area where two tennis courts are. ••
