Kidd Springs Park basketball court getting a major upgrade with ESPN grant

Thanks in part to a new grant, the basketball court at Kidd Springs Park will receive a $36,000 makeover.

The Dallas Park Foundation recently received a grant through the Home Court Program, a partnership between ESPN and the Local Initiatives. The Oak Cliff Advocate reports half the funds will come from ESPN while the other half will come from private donations collected by the foundation.

The money will go toward upgrades such as bleachers, pavers and a drinking water fountain. Long-term plans call for a shade cover to be installed, according to Dallas City Council member Chad West.

“CONGRATS to the neighbors who led the charge on advocating for, raising matching funds for, and ultimately winning the ESPN grant for improvements to Kidd Springs Park basketball court,” West said in a Facebook post. “And nice job Parks and Rec staff for submitting a thorough, winning application!”

Augustine Jalomo, president of the Kidd Springs Central community organization, told the Oak Cliff Advocate that the group collaborated with JR Huerta, executive director of Dallas Youth Sports, about renovating the court.

“In the 12 years that our group has been focusing on the park, we’ve been checking off things on our wish list, so it’s great to check one more thing off our list,” Jalomo says. “If you look at it, it’s a very sad court. It’s time to show it some love.”