Dream Court unveiled at Elmont’s Hendrickson Avenue Park

No dream is out of reach for youth in the Town of Hempstead, and the installation of a Dream Court at Hendrickson Avenue Park in Elmont aims to make more local aspirations come true.

The outdoor court, made possible by Nancy Lieberman Charities and the Gatorade Equity in Sports Initiative, was unveiled on Aug. 19 as part of Hempstead Town’s commitment to providing safe places for local youth to play, make friends and build positive relationships.

It is a high-school regulation size court, 50-by-84 feet, with two basketball nets. The court is made of high-performance “PowerGame” surface created by Sport Court, in dark and steel blue with the Dream Court logo as its centerpiece. 

Lieberman, a Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer who grew up in Far Rockaway, has helped install more than 125 Dream Courts throughout the United States with her charity since 2010.

The organization’s charitable efforts work to improve “outcomes for underserved youth in the areas of education, mental health and wellness, and career/life preparedness,” according to its website NancyLiebermanCharities.org. 

“No matter how great you are, you can’t do it by yourself,” Lieberman said. “We bring people together on Dream Courts. We want people to be emboldened, to feel confident about who they are, what they are, and you can do anything. We’re here for you.”

The court project honors Ros Gold-Onwude, an ESPN sports broadcaster and former professional basketball player on the Nigeria national team. 

Gold-Onwude played basketball since she was 4 years old and said that “basketball has always been (her) love.” She shared her experiences growing up playing basketball in parks like Hendrickson Avenue Park and how they shaped her knowledge of and relationship with the sport. 

“It has always been my vehicle,” she said. “It has absolutely been the game-changer in my life. I came up in parks like this, you know the park is where I gained identity, game skills, life skills — this was my sanctuary. I learned courage, how to hold my own, teamwork, confidence, and boldness on courts like this.”

Having access to a free, local park with a quality court like the Dream Court where kids can play safely is something Gold-Onwude emphasized as she spoke to youth during the unveiling ceremony. 

Jesse Downes, a market development associate for Gatorade, said he hopes that this court can help ensure equity in sports for athletes in the Elmont community.

“The Gatorade Equity in Sports Initiative aims to break down barriers to sport, and we wanted to help provide equity and access to all athletes to play,” Downes said. “Playing sports helps to unlock opportunities and shape lives.”

Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin highlighted the significance of the court during the ceremony.

“I can’t stress to you the importance of what it really means to a lot of people,” Clavin said. “Take a look around, because you all know what this court looked like just a couple of months ago. You know it needed work. And Nancy and her team came in here and they’ve made an investment — an investment in this court, an investment in our community, and an investment most importantly into you, the young men and women who make the community (the) special, special place it is.”

While the court bears Lieberman’s name, she emphasized that the Dream Court is a park for the Elmont community where kids can achieve whatever they set their minds to. 

“To the kids here — it’s your time,” she said. “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t be.”