Parents, kids, Fulton County employees and Atlanta Hawks players packed the Cliftondale Basketball Court on Saturday, August 20, 2016 along with County and State elected officials to share in the celebration of the renovation of the basketball court. The project is one of several community-focused court dedications completed in partnership with the Atlanta Hawks and Fulton County Parks and Recreation. This unique partnership was the brainchild of Fulton County Commission Chairman John H. Eaves.
“It was a great day from start to finish,” said Chairman Eaves. “I was especially thrilled to see how excited the kids were to meet former Hawks’ great Dikembe Mutombo and the others who are part of this great team. We now have another excellent basketball court and a lasting partnership with the Hawks.”
During the event District 6 Commissioner Emma I. Darnell thanked the Hawks for their commitment to community and gave the kids a special message. “We love you, we believe in you and we expect great things from you,” said Commissioner Darnell. She urged the children to remember while having fun on the court they have support in reaching their dreams through partnerships like this one.
During the event, Atlanta Hawks Forward Thabo Sefolosha addressed the kids and encouraged them to be leaders and to listen to their parents, drawing a lot of laughter from parents attending the event.
Once the ribbon cutting was over, the Westlake High School Marching Band kicked off the day’s festivities with several musical selections. Kids attending the ribbon cutting participated in interactive games with the Hawks Fan Experience team. They also decorated basketballs with youth artists from the Fulton County Arts and Culture program as well as watched the dancers from the South Fulton Arts Center’s 2016 Summer Teen Art Intensives.
Last year the NBA franchise, through its Atlanta Hawks Foundation, renovated court facilities at Fulton County’s Welcome All Park and will be renovating one additional Fulton County park in the near future. “The state-of-the-art renovation of the Cliftondale Park Basketball Court is a shining example of what public/private partnerships can accomplish. The generosity of the Atlanta Hawks Foundation working with the Fulton County Parks & Recreation Department made this wonderful addition to our community possible. This collaborative effort will positively impact the lives of families and children for years to come,” said Tony Phillips, Director of Fulton County Parks and Recreation.
With seven total court renovations completed since 2015, the Hawks have pledged to refurbish a total of 25 courts in five years.
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