McClinton cuts ribbon on new basketball court at Whitby Avenue Playground

PA House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton; Councilmember Jamie Gauthier; and Nicholas Bertram, President of The GIANT Company, joined Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to celebrate the opening of a brand new basketball court at Whitby Avenue Playground in Cobbs Creek.

“Expanding access to athletic recreation for Philadelphia’s youth is a top priority for Parks & Rec,” said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “The new basketball court will bring this community together and serve as a safe place to play for youth nearby. We are so grateful to Rep. McClinton, Councilmember Gauthier and The GIANT Company for their support.”

Two former tennis courts were converted into a regulation-size basketball court with a polycarbonate backboard. The new basketball court is the latest step in Parks & Rec’s ongoing efforts to increase Philadelphia youth’s access to high quality athletic recreation facilities. Other new amenities at Whitby Avenue Playground include a turf grass area for stormwater management and an ADA ramp and walkway.

“This new basketball court is a great example of what we can accomplish when we come together to put our neighborhoods first,” said state Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “We must now continue to secure funding to invest in these kinds of resources that greatly benefit our young people at a time they need our support most. Thank you to everyone involved who helped make this project possible.”

The $200,000 project was made possible by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, with additional support from The GIANT Company.

“At The GIANT Company, we’re committed to doing all that we can to enhance the communities we serve and help connect families for a better future. We know that to truly make a difference, we can’t do it alone, and that’s why we’re honored to work with Rep. McClinton, Councilmember Gauthier and the City of Philadelphia to bring this project to life. We look forward to seeing the new basketball court at Whitby Ave Park being enjoyed by Philadelphians and residents of Cobbs Creek for years to come,” said Aaysha Noor, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at The GIANT Company.

"Residents and communities thrive when they have high quality parks, playgrounds, courts and fields," said Jamie Gauthier, Philadelphia City Councilmember, 3rd District. "This beautiful new basketball court at Whitby Playground is going to get great use by the Cobbs Creek neighborhood, and I am so grateful to GIANT Foods, Representative McClinton and Parks & Rec for investing in this community."

“I’m happy that kids in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood will have access to this new basketball court. These sites are crucial for the health and wellbeing of the community,” said Ebony Hatcher, District Manager of Parks & Rec District 8, which includes most of West Philadelphia and Cobbs Creek.