huupe dreams

Photo by Stacie Joy 

The "smart basketball hoop" installed last Thursday in Tompkins Square Park is currently out of commission. 

"It's not broken. It needs to be hard-wired into the city's system," said a technician on the scene. "[It] may be back online tomorrow sometime and will then be good for 24/7."

A company called huupe is behind the technology that provides feedback on your game. Per the city: "Its waterproof backboard functions as a video screen, delivering expert training content, live TV, and interactive elements to enrich the playing experience." 

The high-tech hoop will be here until early October.

A lot of hoop-la for this high-tech basketball backboard in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Derek Berg 

Tompkins Square Park is the temporary recipient of a "smart basketball hoop." 

A company called huupe is behind the technology that provides a lot of feedback on your game. 

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, huupe CEO Paul Anton, local elected officials, CB3 members, and several TV news crews were on hand yesterday to unveil the basketball courts along 10th Street near Avenue B. 

Here's more from the Parks Department: 

The new basketball hoop technology offers a range of advanced features designed to elevate the game. Its waterproof backboard functions as a video screen, delivering expert training content, live TV, and interactive elements to enrich the playing experience. 

Equipped with advanced sensors and an integrated webcam, the hoop provides real-time feedback on shot accuracy, trajectory, and court positioning, allowing players to refine their skills with precision. Additionally, huupe facilitates global gaming by enabling real-time shooting contests with players from around the world, boasting 99% accuracy in tracking remote competitions and fostering a competitive, international community. 

The concept for huupe originated from a remote game of 'PIG' played via Snapchat between lifelong friends Paul Anton and Lyth Saeed. Their experience highlighted a gap in remote sports interactions, sparking the creation of huupe ... Now, Anton and Saeed are dedicated to extending its benefits to underserved communities.

The hoop was installed on Tuesday and will be up until early October. (No word on whether the huupe has a built-in alarm to deter it from being stolen.)

If you want to recreate this at home, the Huupe Mini is $599, while the outdoor Huupe Pro costs $9,995.

We've come a long way from the bottomless milk crate. 

Earlier this summer, the courts were closed for several weeks to resurface, install new rims and backboards, and paint a new mural.

Check out an aerial view of the refurbished Tompkins Square Park basketball courts

So the refurbished Tompkins Square Park basketball courts returned to public use on Monday after a multi-week closure ... and with a dedication ceremony featuring the collaborators — Glossier, a beauty website, Project Blackboard, the WNBA, artist Na Chainkua Reindorf and the Parks Department. 

The Glossier Instagram account posted the two aerial shots here...

Here's more via Fast Company ... and Kyle Leahy, Glossier’s CEO: 

Glossier didn’t just sponsor the art; it also paid to refurbish the court so it is more functional. It mended the nets and repainted the backboards. It also sponsored a women's league that uses this court regularly to practice, paying for all of their equipment. "We wanted these young women to realize that they are worthy of this investment." 

The courts were last refurbished in the summer of 2015 with funding from YouTube.

The refurbished Tompkins Square Park basketball courts return to service with help from the WNBA

There's a dedication ceremony this afternoon to unveil the refurbished Tompkins Square Park basketball courts. (Thanks to the EVG reader for these photos!)

These courts, which have been closed since June 5, have undergone a transformation. They now boast a mural titled 'Gaze' by Na Chainkua Reindorf over a resurfaced court and new rims and backboards.

Not mentioned on the posted signage about the court closings... this is a collaboration with Glossier, a beauty website, Project Blackboard, the WNBA and the Parks Department. 

Glossier CEO Kyle Leahy, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Connecticut Sun star Brionna Jones are expected at the courts this afternoon at 3, per the event flyer a reader shared with us...

And more about Project Blackboard: 

Project Backboard is a 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 2015, whose mission is to renovate public basketball courts and install large-scale works of site-specific art on the surface to strengthen communities, improve park safety and encourage multigenerational play...

The courts were last refurbished in the summer of 2015 with funding from YouTube. 

Basketball diaries: one of the courts is back open in Tompkins Square Park

One of the two basketball courts is back in action in Tompkins Square Park. (Thanks to the EVG reader for the photo and tip.) 

The courts have been closed since June 5 for a new mural design. The cracked courts also needed to be refurbished, and workers were installing new backboards and rims. 

We'll have more about all this later, as the courts will officially be unveiled on Monday afternoon.

A timeline for the reopening of the Tompkins Square basketball courts

Photos by Stuart Leung 

Here's a little more information about the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts, which have been closed since June 5. 

According to workers, in addition to painting the mural titled "Gaze" by Na Chainkua Reindorf, they are replacing the rims on the full court closest to 10th Street and replacing both backboards and rims on the interior full court. 

They are targeting completion on Monday, June 24, ahead of the last day for NYC public school students on June 26.

Court proceedings: Checking in on the new mural for Tompkins Square Park hoopsters

We've heard a few grumbles about the temporary closure of the Tompkins Square basketball courts as the summer gets underway. 

As noted, last Wednesday, workers fenced off the courts ahead of a mural installation titled "Gaze" by Na Chainkua Reindorf.

EVG reader Liz provided these next two photos ... and another perspective on the work that needs to be done before the mural can be painted.

"To all the naysayers, and I do understand their skepticism, the creation of the basketball court mural moves apace. I overlook the court, and I've watched the workers at it 9-5, Monday-Friday, a short break for lunch. In fact, I find watching them work very meditative. They've done a really careful and beautiful job of patching and resurfacing prior to the painting. I hope it can be admired in its glory before being tagged." 

This evening, workers were still there at 5:45...

Tompkins Square basketball courts remain closed for mural installation

As of Wednesday evening, the basketball courts in Tompkins Square Park have been fenced off ahead of a mural installation.

 

Na Chainkua Reindorf will create "Gaze" — "a stylized eye which is a recurring symbol" in her work.

There is no word on the timeline for the project.

The fitness area here along 10th Street and Avenue B remains open...

H/T to the EVG reader for the initial tip and to Steven for the photos...

Hoop dreams: A memorial for Jesse Parrilla

Photos by Gebhard 

Tuesday was Jesse Day on the basketball courts in Tompkins Square Park... as friends and community members gathered to celebrate the life of Jesse Parrilla, the local hoops star who was said to be an innocent bystander in a gang feud this spring. 

Parrilla, who lived with his mother on 12th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue, and his longtime friend Nikki Huang were reportedly kidnapped and killed in May "in a series of retaliatory shootings" involving a stolen purse. (Previously.) 

Parrilla, 22, played basketball for a season upstate at Genesee Community College.

Sad to announce the passing of former @GCCCougarsBBall player Jesse Parrilla. Jesse played for Genesee CC during the 2018-2019 season. Prayers out to his family & loved ones. 🕊🕊🕊 pic.twitter.com/aifP1S4W58

— Genesee CC Mens Basketball (@GCCCougarsBBall) May 17, 2022

In Tompkins Square Park, there were basketball games and remembrances of someone who is gone too soon...

Hoops return to the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts

Workers in Tompkins Square Park were spotted late this afternoon putting the hoops back up in the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts... one of the amenities that the city was returning for the start of Phase 3.

And as this photo by Goggla shows, some kids were ready to play. However, any kind of organized team sports and group play are off-limits, as they remain high-risk activities.

The Parks Department removed the hoops on March 26.

No more hoops for now at the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts

[Photo by Daniel]

Workers came in yesterday and removed all the rims from the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts...


[Photos by Steven]



This comes after reports of too many people playing basketball this past weekend — without anyone practicing social distancing. (One reader witnessed someone spraying a ball with Lysol.) The reader also noted the presence on Sunday afternoon of the NYPD midcourt...



EVG correspondent Steven spotted one resident, out for a bit of exercise, not minding the absence of a hoop...



"Now I never miss."

Day and night on the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts

A look this morning and last night courtesy of Vinny & O...

On the rebound: Tompkins Square Park basketball courts are back

The hoops and nets arrived this weekend… and now the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts are back in play…


[Random pic from yesterday morning]

The courts had been out of commission since May 29, with an original reopen date at the end of June. As previously cut-and-pasted, the New York City Parks Department teamed up with YouTube for the renovations. The logo in the middle of the courts is of the Parks Department. A few EVG commenters wondered if a YouTube logo might make its way on the court somewhere… well, not so far.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Tompkins Square Park basketball courts closed for renovations; YouTube-backed hoops on the way

WE HAVE BACKBOARDS NOW IN TOMPKINS SQUARE PARK

WE HAVE BACKBOARDS NOW IN TOMPKINS SQUARE PARK

Progress to report at the Tompkins Square basketball courts! Last week, workers installed the backboard supports. This week, the backboards arrived. Perhaps if all goes well, we will have the hoops (and nets maybe???) next week!

The court also received another coat of black…



Workers started digging up the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts on May 29. City officials said that the courts were expected to reopen by the end of June, when NYC schools were out, per DNAinfo.

Oh, and a courts-are-closed sign finally arrived Monday, two-plus months into the project…



According to the signs, the exercise equipment is off limits through Aug. 12 as well.

As previously cut-and-pasted, the New York City Parks Department teamed up with YouTube for the renovations. YouTube is funding the operation, estimated at $300,000.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Tompkins Square Park basketball courts closed for renovations; YouTube-backed hoops on the way

Hoops dreams: Checking in on the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts

Workers started digging up the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts on May 29. City officials said that the courts were expected to reopen by the end of June, when NYC schools were out, per DNAinfo.

Dave on 7th stopped by yesterday to see how things were looking…



The resurfacing appears complete. (Workers began this on July 6.)



Workers installed the backboard supports yesterday...



Now we just need backboards and some hoops. (Hopefully they aren't on back order.)

As previously reported, the New York City Parks Department teamed up with YouTube for the renovations. YouTube is funding the operation, estimated at $300,000.

The rendering shows a YouTubey (YouTubeish?) color scheme on the courts… Not sure if the final courts will have this… or if the courts will feature TVs continuously looping PewDiePie…


[Rendering via YouTube]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Tompkins Square Park basketball courts closed for renovations; YouTube-backed hoops on the way

Resurfacing underway at the new YouTube-backed basketball courts in Tompkins Square Park

After several weeks of inactivity, there's progress at the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts... EVG Facebook friend Erick Hartz shared these photos from yesterday, showing workers (in YouTube T-shirts) resurfacing the courts in the Park's northeast corner...



As previously reported, workers began tearing up the courts on May 29. The New York City Parks Department teamed up with YouTube for the renovations. (YouTube is funding the operation, estimated at $300,000.)


[Rendering via YouTube]

Parks officials originally said that work would be wrapped by the time that city schools let out for the summer on June 26. Workers estimate that the resurfacing would be complete by this evening.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Tompkins Square Park basketball courts closed for renovations; YouTube-backed hoops on the way

Not much progress on the all-new Tompkins Square basketball courts

[Photo from May 30]

Workers began tearing up the Tompkins Square Basketball Courts on May 29.

As we previously noted:

...the New York City Parks Department teamed up with YouTube for the renovations, which include an entire resurfacing of the courts with new cement and paint, and installing new basketball hoops. Parks officials said that work will be completed by the time the city schools let out for the summer on June 26. YouTube is funding the renovations, which are estimated at $300,000.

It doesn't appear that the city will hit that kids-outta-school deadline. The courts look essentially the same now as they did on May 29...





At this rate, the courts will be ready by time the students return to school.

The gym equipment is still accessible, though...



Anyway, your new YouTube courts will look like this, via a rendering from YouTube…

Tompkins Square Park basketball courts closed for renovations; YouTube-backed hoops on the way

Workers yesterday began ripping up the basketball courts in Tompkins Square Park…





The city made the announcement about the court renovations on May 4 with the help of YouTube stars Dude Perfect, who were on-hand to do some trick shots and give out prizes, etc.

@dudeperfect takeover of #TompkinsSquarePark is happening now!!! #DudePerfectCourt

A photo posted by Chris Plehal (@plehal) on May 4, 2015 at 11:16am PDT

Apparently the New York City Parks Department teamed up with YouTube for the renovations, which include an entire resurfacing of the courts with new cement and paint, and installing new basketball hoops. Parks officials said that work will be completed by the time the city schools let out for the summer on June 26. YouTube is funding the renovations, which are estimated at $300,000.

The courts are locked up for now… and apparently the gym equipment is off limits for the next month too… (Updated: EVG regular Jose Garcia says in the comments that people were using the gym equipment this afternoon.)



There aren't any signs posted about the closure … either at the courts or Park office.

Here's NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver via a news release: "Tompkins Square Park is one of New York’s best-loved green spaces, and the basketball have played host to generation of players. NYC Parks is grateful to Dude Perfect and YouTube for their generous effort to give the East Village a refurbished place to shoot hoops this summer."

Your new YouTube courts will look like this, via a rendering from YouTube…



H/T TubeFilter