In approximately one month, squash players across the city will have access to a flagship court on the Lower East Side. The first of its kind in New York City.
As previously reported, the year-old Public Squash Foundation aims to construct an all-glass, weather-proof squash court in the neighborhood to make the game more accessible to the public. And also to break down the elitist vibe the game oftentimes exudes. The initial plan was a semi-permanent installation inside East River Park tennis courts. But that proved futile. Instead, the court will take up residence inside the Hamilton Fish Park year-round. At the expense of a handball wall.
The move to Pitt Street is practical for the city-based organization. Hamilton Fish is a recreation facility with area to stow rental equipment, and that also locks up (i.e. security).
“I know this [squash court] will propel the sport,” Public Squash co-founder Ryan Underwood Wall tells us. He further explains that the demand for the sport in urban areas is untapped, and that there are also two enclosures on the West Coast.
Rendering of the new squash court, Photo: Public Squash
As for what to expect from the minimalist structure itself, the intent is a semi-permanent enclosure that is easily maintained. It’ll be publicly available for year-round play. With regard to the loss of handball courts, Wall explains that there are more than two thousand across the Five Boroughs, and losing this one is essentially a drop in the bucket. Plus, he notes that the game can still be played inside the confines of the enclosure.
Apparently the Public Squash “fought tooth and nail” to make this happen. We are told that the Parks Department has already given the green light for the Public Squash Foundation to proceed. Although, we’ve yet to see the proposal listed on any recent Community Board 3 agendas.
Installation is set for sometime next month.
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