PRINCE’S BAY — The city reopened the Wolfes Pond tennis courts Thursday morning, after repairing damage from Hurricane Sandy.
The City Parks Foundation, the U.S. Tennis Association, the city's Parks Department and Chase Bank cut the ribbon on the two newly refurbished courts at the Prince's Bay park.
“After Hurricane Sandy damaged this park and these courts, we felt strongly that we should focus our efforts on refurbishing these courts and reopening these courts,” said Alison Tocci, president of the City Parks Foundation.
Tennis legend Virginia Wade hosted a clinic at the ribbon cutting and hit some balls with local kids.
“To resurface [the] courts, which [were] damaged by such a devastating thing, is just a credit to everybody,” Wade said. “I know how sad it’s been in every respect, the results of the hurricane. This is just a small token.”
Chase, the City Parks Foundation and the USTA all dedicated funds to help refurbish the courts in time for the City Parks Foundation's free summer lessons at the only tennis courts on the South Shore of Staten Island.
While the foundation offers tennis lessons across the five boroughs, Wolfes Pond Park is the only spot they teach on Staten Island and one of the most popular in the city, Tocci said.
