City’s SCA Begins Rehab of Seward Park School Courts on Essex Street

Those looking to take advantage of the public Seward Park school courts will likely need to wait until next spring.

Last week, several readers pointed out the dismantling of basketball hoops inside the multipurpose sports field.

We confirmed with Seward Park Campus (formerly, Seward Park High School) – stewards of the sports grounds – that the courts are actually undergoing a complete overhaul. On the other side of the project, there will be a different take on the layout, plus the inclusion of astroturf.

According to the 2019 scoping report from the NYC School Construction Authority, the Grain Collective landscape architects designed the 43,200 square-foot oval to accommodate a new soccer field, tennis court, and handball court that will together “serve the school and surrounding community.” There will also be new outdoor fitness features to “create an energetic play area.”

The design does not, however, include the re-installation of the seven basketball hoops nor public bathroom facilities.

Meanwhile, the project could last at least six months, during which time the Seward Park courts will remain inaccessible.

Until now, the space known as the Seward Park Oval, included three hard-surface tennis courts, a running track, a two-sided handball wall, and basketball courts, which are used by the school but open to the public.

The five Seward Park high schools (also known as Seward Park Campus) are located in close proximity to the playground, in the iconic building at 350 Grand Street.

“We are excited to redesign the space especially for the possibilities of providing more programming for neighborhood youth,” founding principal of the New Design High School Scott Conti said when reached for comment about the project.