Big 10 Network Revamps Astoria Basketball Court

ASTORIA, QUEENS -- After decades of deteriorating, the Triborough Bridge Playground B basketball court is full of life again - in part because of its new murals and equipment, but also because of the crowds that gathered to celebrate its grand re-opening.

Humans and mascots alike crowded the Astoria park on Wednesday for the unveiling of the Big Ten Network's $40,000 redesign to its basketball court. The neighborhood's former eyesore was outfitted with weather-resistant asphalt, two new backboards and a brightly colored mural stamped with the BTN logo.

Big Ten school mascots danced around the refurbished court in celebration as Queens Borough Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski and BTN marketing and communications director Jordan Maleh cut the ribbon.

Maleh called New York City's basketball tradition "second to none" and credited it with helping the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament make its way to Madison Square Garden.

"As a network our goal was to, even in a small way, make a meaningful contribution to that culture and we've been fortunate to have a partner like NYC Parks to make it a reality" he said.

The renovations are the basketball court's first in more than 20 years, according to NYC Parks.

"The Big Ten Network has brought color and fun into this neighborhood basketball court," Lewandowski said.

Artist Mark Paul Deren, known as "MADSTEEZ" designed the colorful mural that spans the basketball court.

The much-needed improvements come on the heels of the brand new soccer field unveiled in the playground last fall, and an adult exercise space that opened in the summer.

NYC Parks is slated to begin its next construction project to renovate the basketball courts and install a dog run at Triborough Bridge Playground C this spring.

Lead photos by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks.