(Portland, OR) –
Portland Parks & Recreation, the Portland Trail Blazers, and Nike are proud to announce the revitalization of McCoy Park’s basketball court in North Portland. This public/private partnership was originally conceived by the late former Parks Commissioner Nick Fish.
The partners gathered for a celebration this past Sunday (August 28, 2022) to celebrate the renewed basketball court and the return of the school year. The recently completed effort is part of the larger Portland Basketball Courts Revitalization Project between the organizations and Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R). The endeavor has and continues to refresh and improve numerous courts throughout the Portland area. The project supports various PP&R programs in Portland including the bureau’s Goldenball Youth Basketball, celebrating its 85th season in 2022.
“Portland is at its best when we bring public and private groups together,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Carmen Rubio. “Thriving spaces like these courts make our neighborhoods stronger, safer communities. Thank you to the Portland Trail Blazers and Nike for your assist in this crucial work.”
The collaboration between the partners continues, with work to revitalize the outdoor basketball court at North Portland’s Dawson Park beginning this week and expected to be complete by late September. Details are available at portland.gov/parks/dawson-park. Basketball courts that have been updated so far include Parklane, Argay, Trenton, McKenna, Harney, King School Park and Raymond Park. The Trail Blazers, Nike and PP&R are exploring the possibility of revamping other courts as well.
Nike and the Trail Blazers joined neighbors and Portland Parks & Recreation representatives for a joyous back-to-school celebration in the park, including games on McCoy Park’s court along with a basketball skills challenge led by Trail Blazers staff. The party, rich in smiles and laughter, also featured music, games, giveaways and special visits from Trail Blazers players Anfernee Simons, Gary Payton II, Keon Johnson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Jabari Walker - plus Blaze the Trail Cat.
"We are proud to partner with our friends at Nike and Portland Parks & Recreation to help revitalize numerous courts throughout Portland and thrilled to celebrate the program this past weekend with the McCoy Park community," said Ashley Clinkscale, EVP & Chief Communications & Impact Officer, Portland Trail Blazers & Rose Quarter. "These courts provide opportunities for children and families to live, learn and play within their own neighborhoods. We have focused our resources in disadvantaged communities that need us the most, realizing that we can have an impact on many lives and communities. "
“Celebrating the newly revitalized basketball court at McCoy Park on Sunday was pure joy,” said Caitlin Morris, Vice President of Social & Community Impact for Nike. “The smiles of the kids at the court reflect our belief that all kids are made to play – and our communities are better for it when they do. Together, with our long-time partners Portland Parks & Recreation and the Portland Trail Blazers, we’re thrilled to continue our legacy of expanding access to sport for the next generation through Portland’s vibrant outdoor basketball courts and spreading even more love for the game.”
The Portland Basketball Courts Revitalization Project is funded by $750,000 from Nike and $300,000 from the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s also a continuation of Nike’s 2002 commitment to the Portland Parks Foundation to resurface outdoor basketball courts.
“Beautiful courts like the at McCoy Park make basketball available for so many Portland neighborhoods,” says PP&R Director Adena Long. “This partnership benefits players of all ages and abilities, and we are proud to move forward to our next project – at Dawson Park – together.”
About Portland Parks & Recreation
Portland Parks & Recreation helps Portlanders play – providing the safe places, facilities, and programs which promote physical, mental and social activity. We get people, especially kids, outside, active, and connected to the community, increasing the wellness of our residents and the livability of our city. We establish, safeguard, and restore the parks, natural areas, public places and urban forest of the city, ensuring that these are accessible to all. We also develop and maintain excellent facilities and places for public recreation and community building, provide dynamic recreation programs and services that promote health and well-being for all, and partner with the community we serve.
Portland Parks & Recreation’s legendary Goldenball program is celebrating an incredible 85 seasons of providing basketball leagues for young people in the Portland area. Even with the continued effects of the pandemic, around 1,500 young people took part this past season - just in the third-to-fifth grade leagues PP&R was able to offer with limited capacity.
Challenges remain – eye on a Sustainable Future
PP&R is faced with a backlog of identified yet unfunded major maintenance projects of about $500M. That’s for major repairs, not even including growth needs in the PP&R system – thus the 2020 Parks Local Option Levy (for operations) and SDCs (by law to expand capacity) cannot be used for those efforts. Portland Parks & Recreation continues to look for sufficient, reliable, sustainable funding to address the many major maintenance and growth needs across the city’s park system through the Sustainable Future Initiative, portland.gov/parks/sustainable-future.
About the Portland Trail Blazers
Members of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Portland Trail Blazers were founded in 1970 and purchased by the late Paul G. Allen in 1988. The team's rich heritage includes 37 playoff appearances, three trips to the NBA Finals, an NBA championship in 1977 and a commitment to community service and sustainability. The Trail Blazers are dedicated to positively impacting underserved kids and their families throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington where they live, learn and play. Portland is the first and only professional sports franchise to receive the prestigious National Points of Light Award for excellence in corporate and community service. The Trail Blazers home arena, Moda Center, is the first existing arena to earn LEED Platinum Certification in 2019 after receiving LEED Gold Recertification in 2015 and becoming the first existing professional sports venue in the world to receive LEED Gold status in 2010. The team is also one of the founding members of the Green Sports Alliance. For more information, visit trailblazers.com.
About Social and Community Impact at Nike
Nike believes in the transformative power of sport to help move the world forward and create change. To help create a more equitable and inclusive world, they’re tackling systemic inequality through a commitment to getting kids active and building inclusive communities. They’re empowering adults to welcome all kids to play through community partnerships and coaching resources. And they're teaming up with organizations and our employees around the world —to rewrite the playbook so everyone can win in life. We invite you to learn more about Nike Social & Community Impact as part of the company’s Purpose.
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