New Basketball & Pickleball Courts in Fanwood
Borough of Fanwood
Mayor Colleen Mahr recently cut the ribbon to officially reveal the new and improved Forest Road Park, the first phase of a renewal project which includes a new regulation basketball court and two pickleball courts.
The Mayor was joined by members of the Fanwood Recreation Commission, Borough Council, County Commission, Borough Engineer and designers from CME Engineering.
Brand new basketball and pickleball courts are the main features of these first improvements, which also include repaved walking paths, new lighting and landscaping and a new bike rack.
The pickleball courts are a first for Fanwood. The growing sport, a kind of cross between tennis and squash, is played on a smaller version of a tennis court. The courts are built on high grade concrete with a painted surface to delineate the playing fields. Popularity of pickleball is taking off nationwide with tournaments being broadcast on ESPN.
The new basketball court is an upgrade over the old one. It is now regulation size with special high-impact paint on the playing surface, new baskets and new nets.
The next phase of improvements will include the demolition of the old tennis courts, damaged over the years by poor drainage. They’ll be replaced with new grass and a gazebo to form a passive park area.
“Thanks, first and foremost, to our Recreation Commission,” remarked Mayor Mahr. “The Commission’s vision and diligence really brought this project to life.”
“We had a lot of support,” said Recreation Director Bob Budiansky, who noted that the Recreation Department’s brand new summer basketball camp began just in time to play on the new court.
