Finally! They’re Playing Tennis and Pickleball at Recreation Park

A new tennis complex at Binghamton's Recreation Park is now in use - nearly three years after work started on the project.

The facility is located in the southwest corner of the park at Beethoven Street and Seminary Avenue.

Painting and striping of the courts was completed last week. Although no official announcement was made, people began playing tennis and pickleball on Saturday.

Construction of the new tennis courts originally was to start in the summer of 2020 but the schedule was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Initial site prep by Broome Bituminous Products of Vestal began in November of that year but most of the work didn't get underway until the following spring.

People were able to use the newly-constructed facility starting in September 2021. But city officials soon determined there appeared to be drainage problems. They called in experts to study the issue.

Mayor Jared Kraham had said the material used for the court surface "didn't meet the city's expectations in terms of drainage and repelling water." The surface was torn up and a new surface was installed.

Although the facility was in use over the weekend, some detail work remains to be completed at the site. Lighting fixtures have yet to be installed.

Kraham told WNBF News on Monday that he hasn't yet had a chance to play on the new courts.

A "family fun night" is planned at the tennis facility on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Tennis Charities of Binghamton is sponsoring a doubles-only tournament at the park on September 30.

VIDEO: WNBF News visits the just-opened Rec Park tennis facility. 

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.