Barry Farm Recreation Center to Receive New Basketball Court, Courtesy of Nike, Inc.

Fenty, Director Hartsock and Nike officials join Barry Farm residents in announcing

Washington, DC-Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty joined, Nike Inc., US Director of Government and Public Affairs, Orson C. Porter; Nike, Inc., General Manager of Nike Eastern Territory, Daryl Jones; DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Acting Director, Ximena Hartsock; and the Ward 8 community to announce the donation of a new outdoor basketball court for DPR's Barry Farm Recreation Center by Nike and LeBron James.

Nike awarded DPR a NikeGO Places grant for up to $50,000 to refurbish a basketball court at the Barry Farm Recreation Center. DPR has teamed up with Nike and the LeBron James More Than a Game Tour to encourage grass roots basketball, community service and empower District youth.

"My administration is committed to enhancing and expanding recreational opportunities for youth in the District, we are proud to partner with Nike and LeBron James in this endeavor," said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. "This partnership marks a great investment in our community and our youth; DC's Barry Farm Recreation Center is widely considered one of the best place to watch street basketball."

The new outdoor basketball court will feature Nike Grind Foam, a raw material made from recycled athletic shoes collected through the Reuse-A-Shoe program, as well as manufacturing scrap and shoes with manufacturing flaws.  Nike has partnered with industry-leading sports surfacing companies to incorporate this material into their products, as well using it in their own product manufacturing. Construction will begin this fall.

"When you combine the inspiration of LeBron with the opportunities this new court will provide to youth, the transformative power of sport is endless," said General Manager of Nike Eastern Territory, Daryl Jones.

Tomorrow at 12:15 pm, Hartsock will join LeBron James at the More Than a Game Community Hoops Festival at the Kastles Stadium where she will toss up the inaugural jump ball. LeBron James, members of the Washington Mystics and local celebrities will also be in attendance.

"I want to thank Nike and LeBron James for their generosity and support of DPR," said DPR Acting Director Hartsock. "Donations like this one make a very real and meaningful impact on the lives of our residents."