UPGRADE COMING TO HUNTERS POINT BASKETBALL COURTS

Local resident, father, and hoops player Nathan Kamp, is in dialogue with the State Parks Department to bring a much needed upgrade to Hunters Point Park on 48th Avenue.  His request list includes straightforward items such as resurfacing and relining the three courts(and also the handball courts), painted center court LIC logos, and new backboards and rims.  The latter items are necessary to add nets to the rims, as the current ones do not have “ringlets” which enable the  attachment of nets.  Bigger wish list items include a redesign of the current park to include more seating around the courts to make it family and spectator friendly.  Adding a bathroom structure, park office, and drinking fountain, as well as netting to keep balls out of residential areas.  Finally, in the while-we’re-at-it category, he throws in a revamp of the toddlers play area on 5th Street, which has been closed for over a year and has become a real eyesore in the neighborhood.  Nathan’s goal is for the park to become a cornerstone of the community and a place for kids to not just play basketball, but also to learn via park leagues and skills camps.

It is the spearheading of projects such as these, that are going to make LIC the best community in the nation.  Not to mention the nexus of future Hall of Famers in Springfield.  Basketball is the penultimate pick-up sport in America, and having these courts right in the heart of the community is a real boon for all the young here, boys and girls.  But it requires recognition, action, and follow through to make it happen.  Kudos to Nathan for doing so.

Reminder: One week from today, on Tuesday June 4th, is Taste of LIC.  Also, this Saturday, June 1, from 11am – 3pm is the annual PS78Q PTA Spring Fair with games, rides, food, and drinks.  Tickets are sold at the fair.  Both these events are mandatory stops on the LIC social circuit:  PS78 PTA Soiree -> LICAO -> PS78 Spring Fair -> Taste of LIC -> MoMA PS1 Warm-Up Series -> LIC Basketball Tourney? -> Halloween Parade -> …yeah you get the picture.  We’re now rivaling Manhattan’s scene for socialites, athletes, celebs, and eurotrash. So keep your tuxes spiffy.

8th Annual Taste of LIC – Tuesday June 4th.  Click on link to buy tickets.

Taste of LIC Bringing Bites to Queens Waterfront – a two-hour feeding frenzy by the water, plus a raffle, auctions, rapper Champagne Jerry, political speeches, you know the drill

Stuck in The City, There’s Lots To Do – even the NYT gives a shout out to Taste of LIC.  Is this a sign?

Five Story Building Rising Across From PS1 – just like Taste of LIC, every nook n cranny of LIC is being stuffed, in this case w/ residential real estate

LIC’s Z Hotel to Offer Rooftop Yoga Classes – plus a Saturday rooftop party series as well.  Wonder if you can get a combo ticket?  Then you can hit on tourists in the morning and at night.

The Boozy LIC Special at Sweetleaf – LIC makes Paper Magazine, the beginning of our ascent …or descent?