PARK IRDGE, N.J.—A new synthetic-surfaced regulation-size and lighted outdoor basketball court—a first here in three decades—was opened Saturday, June 29 by Mayor Keith Misciagna and other officials, more than 100 residents, and athletes eager to use the new court.
Nitro, Fairleigh Dickinson University’s mascot, was there too, in all his glory.
The court, which cost approximately $164,000, was funded equally by Park Ridge’s municipal Open Space Trust Fund and a matching grant from the county Open Space Fund.
Check it out at Park Avenue, across the street from the Park Ridge Borough Hall, next to the tennis courts.
At the ceremony, Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders member Thomas Sullivan presented the mayor with a matching grant check for $82,167.
Resident Don Schwamb, Open Space Committee chair and a former Fairleigh Dickinson University basketball player, invited members of the FDU Knights —who won their first NCAA Division I tournament in March—to the event.
The Knights, the only Division 1 university in Bergen County, have appeared in six NCAA tournaments.
Misciagna and Schwamb cut the ribbon opening the court.
Knights coach Greg Herenda also attended the opening and offered a basketball mini-clinic for youngsters.
According to Borough Administrator Julie Falkenstern, the court has been a long time coming. The idea was brought to the governing body by middle schooler Wyatt Metzdorf—son of Councilman Robert Metzdorf— who is now in college. Father and son were at the opening ceremony.
Falkenstern noted the Open Space Fund, which had been defeated by referendum, was voted in again by referendum in November 2016.
“Having that fund enables the borough to get matching funds from the county for open space projects,” she said.
Photos courtesy Julie Falkenstern