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The basketball courts at newly renovated Crispus AttucksPlayground officially renamed Christopher “Biggie” Wallace Courts and receive corresponding signage.
“We at Parks are so proud to be able to join Council Member Cornegy and the Clinton Hill community in honoring the memory of Christopher ‘Biggie’ Wallace by renaming these basketball courts after him,” said Commissioner Maher.
“Biggie was a neighborhood fixture all his life, and these basketball courts are where he came of age. It is inspiring to see the impact of his legacy on the young people who come to the courts every year for his namesake tournament, and we are grateful to Council Member Cornegy for funding the courts’ renovation, as well as the entire playground. In the spirit of Biggie, we can’t stop and we won’t stop making improvements to our neighborhood parks for generations to come.”
Wallace grew up in Brooklyn, just a few blocks from the park on St. James Place, and played basketball with a young Robert Cornegy on these very courts.
The renaming happens just ahead of an annual basketball tournament held in Biggie’s honor to raise funds for youth in need, set to take place this weekend on August 5 and 6. The legacy of his name – BIG – is now interpreted as “Books Instead of Guns,” encouraging young people to pursue studies as a means to success.
The playground at Crispus Attucks has also received a complete renovation. Funded by Council Member Robert Cornegy, this $2.5 million project included new play equipment and safety surface, and improved circulation in the park, which makes both the basketball courts and comfort station accessible to all. The old stairs from Fulton Street were replaced with a garden, and landscaping was done throughout. These new courts were also part of the project, in addition to the handball courts, fencing, and security lighting.
