Mayor Brown announces reopening of Buffalo's 80+ basketball & hockey courts

Mayor Byron Brown on Thursday announced the City of Buffalo’s more than 80 basketball and hockey courts are once again open for play. The city’s Department of Public Works, Parks & Streets has completed installation of basketball hoops and hockey nets in parks and on courts throughout the Queen City.

“While reopening the courts for our residents to enjoy is certainly another step forward toward normalcy, I want to emphasize that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing,” Brown said. “I urge those using the courts to continue to follow CDC guidelines by wearing masks, practicing physical distancing, and washing hands regularly. We are making progress on this crisis, but we must continue to work together to keep our community safe.”

Signs are posted at all courts displaying Erie County and New York state departments of health COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Parks & Recreation Deputy Commissioner Andy Rabb said city crews are working to get the parks ready for many more spring weather activities.

“It’s exciting to get the nets back up this month at our basketball and hockey courts, and Parks will continue to work over the coming weeks addressing playground equipment and preparing tennis courts to reopen the first week of April,” Rabb said.

City crews began reinstalling basketball hoops and nets, replacing damaged back boards, and putting up hockey nets the first week of February and finished up last week. Hoops and nets were taken down last spring after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic declaration as part of the city’s efforts safeguard its residents.