Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa Secures $500,000 for Restoration of Fort Washington Park’s Tennis Courts

Riverside Park Conservancy | November 1, 2024

Fort Washington Park’s ten public tennis courts are situated along one of the most scenic spots on the Hudson River, immediately south of the George Washington Bridge and the Little Red Lighthouse. With only one other public tennis facility in all of Northern Manhattan, these courts are a vital resource for the community.

A Need for Restoration 

Years of deferred maintenance have led to major cracks in the surface of the tennis courts, creating trip hazards and impeding play. Council Member Carmen De La Rosa saw this need and, alongside partners at Riverside Park Conservancy and NYC Parks, worked to secure $500,000 in FY25 Capital Funding for NYC Parks to resurface and restore the courts to good condition as well as replace the broken drinking fountain. 

Current conditions at the 172nd Street Tennis Courts impede play.

“Restoring the 172nd Street tennis courts is an investment in our neighborhood’s health and well-being,” said Merritt Birnbaum, the Conservancy’s President & CEO. “Tennis is proven to extend life expectancy, increase happiness, and decrease stress. We’re grateful to Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa for ensuring that this beautiful facility is returned to its full potential to serve the community.” 

“We are so lucky to be able to have amazing parks Uptown,” said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa in a post on X. “All they need is a little TLC. Thank you Commissioner [Tricia] Shimamura and Riverside Park Conservancy for all of your partnership!” 

Looking Ahead to Expanded Opportunities on the Courts 

Riverside Park Conservancy runs a multi-sport summer camp that offers tennis instruction at this location. The Conservancy also operates the concession that offers tennis lessons and programming for all ages. 

The repairs will be a game-changer for the tennis community in Northern Manhattan and will enable the Conservancy to provide a high-quality experience for the public. 

“We are very excited about what the future holds at the Fort Washington Tennis Courts,” said JT Silberstein, Executive Director of the Riverside Clay Tennis Association. “This funding will revitalize the courts and give a much better experience for all ages. Well-maintained tennis courts and expanded programming will help encourage healthy lifestyles and give the community a better avenue to be active and connect with one another.” 

As part of the event celebrating the securement of capital funding, Council Member De La Rosa joined the Conservancy at a free tennis clinic we offered for local kids and adults, taught by the Conservancy’s head instructor at the Fort Washington Courts, Gilbert Butcher. Gilbert has been teaching at and taking care of the Fort Washington Tennis Courts for over 15 years. With this new funding, we are looking forward to expanding our free and low-cost tennis programming for the community at the renovated facilities. 

About Riverside Park Conservancy

From 59th Street to 181st Street, from riverfront to city-side, Riverside Park Conservancy cares for and enhances six miles of parkland for present and future generations. Working together with the New York City Parks Department, we make improvements as diverse as the park itself and the city it serves.

Riverside Park Conservancy | October 10, 2024

A Growing Camp Community in Fort Washington Park 

Youth sports are a great unifier – no matter where you’re from or what language you speak. At Riverside Park Conservancy’s Multi-Sports Summer Camp in Fort Washington Park, it’s the shared physical activity that brings together kids from different backgrounds to exercise, have fun and form connections – alongside the natural beauty of the Hudson River shoreline. 

In 2022, the Conservancy expanded its successful sports camp model at West 102nd Street to a second location in Fort Washington Park, making use of the area’s tennis courts, soccer fields, and volleyball courts. This new location offers neighborhood children aged 4-16 the opportunity to participate in high-quality, full-day athletic instruction. At Sports Camp, young athletes work with coaching professionals to build their skills alongside teammates in a picturesque park setting. 

“Our Fort Washington Camp has sparked a lot of excitement and curiosity within the uptown community,” said Ahmed Cohen, the Conservancy’s Sports Camp & Facilities Manager. “There’s definitely a need for more outdoor-based sports programming in this neighborhood. Our campers have an opportunity form close connections with their coaches thanks to our small group sizes, and it’s a great way for them to really hone their skills in their chosen sport.” 

Making Camp Possible for More Local Kids 

The need for quality, affordable, local summer camp options is greater than ever. The Conservancy’s goal is to make its neighborhood-based camp accessible for more kids in Washington Heights and West Harlem. Poverty rates in these communities are three times higher than neighborhoods just to the south, making fee-based summer programs out of reach for many local families. At the same time, most free outdoor programs are located far away, a challenge for younger kids who can’t travel by themselves. The Conservancy’s model is to offer need-based financial aid, ranging from partially discounted to completely free tuition.   

“We’re really excited to keep expanding youth sports opportunities here in Fort Washington Park. It’s such a beautiful spot to experience nature, exercise and human connection,” said Merritt Birnbaum, the Conservancy’s President & CEO. “Being able to hit a tennis ball in the shadow of the George Washington Bridge, or score your first soccer goal while enjoying the cool breezes off the River – these are the magical moments that will stay with these kids forever. The Park is a tremendous asset, and we want more children to be able to make their formative memories here.” 

“Fort Washington Soccer Camp is a rare uptown option for our kids in the summer,” said one parent who had struggled to find a good program close to home. “My kid doesn’t like taking the train,” chimed in another parent. “This camp is within walking distance from our place.” 

Serving Children of Asylum Seekers 

Thanks to a new collaboration with the Parks’s neighbor, NewYork-Presbyterian, the Conservancy was able to create a special program that worked to overcome barriers and make it easier for asylum seekers to enroll their children in Sports camp. With the surge of new immigrants to New York over the past few years, including 40,000 school-aged children since 2022 alone, the youth programming system is overwhelmed. For many of these kids, summer presents a unique challenge as their families struggle with unstable housing and a lack of planned enrichment activities. The Conservancy is grateful to NewYork-Presbyterian for understanding this need and stepping in to help fill the gap. 

NewYork-Presbyterian generously provided full scholarships for kids to attend five weeks of the Conservancy’s Sports camp. Conservancy staff worked closely with local schools and other nonprofits to conduct outreach and help newly arrived families navigate the enrollment process.  

The Conservancy looks forward to the 2025 season of Sports Camp in Fort Washington Park and hopes to welcome more families and children from the community to enjoy sports along the Hudson River. For more information about Sports Camp, please contact [email protected]. 

About Riverside Park Conservancy

From 59th Street to 181st Street, from riverfront to city-side, Riverside Park Conservancy cares for and enhances six miles of parkland for present and future generations. Working together with the New York City Parks Department, we make improvements as diverse as the park itself and the city it serves.

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