NEWBURYPORT — With cracks and uneven ground making up much of the basketball court at Atwood Park, the need for some tender love and care is obvious at a glance.
Starting today, the court will be temporarily shut down to receive that care.
The city announced the closure Thursday, noting that work on the court should take one to two weeks to complete.
“The court will be patched and resurfaced, and new lines and a new basketball hoop will be installed by SportsTek,” the city said in its statement.
The work is being funded with $27,000 in Community Preservation Act money approved by the City Council in the spring, according to Ward 1 City Councilor Sharif Zeid.
The Community Preservation Act matches state funding with a local 2% property tax surcharge. The money must be used for housing, recreation, open space or historic preservation projects.
With the park, located at 13 Atwood St., residing in his ward, Zeid had nothing but praise for it as a community resource.
“Atwood Park is a great neighborhood park and I know it’s loved and appreciated by residents in the area. It’s nice to see the court get some much-needed attention,” Zeid said.
A resident of Atwood Street herself, fellow City Councilor Connie Preston said she loved having the park so close by.
“Atwood Park is a wonderful little neighborhood park that is rich in history and is the center of our neighborhood. These improvements are very welcome addition to the basketball court. Special Projects Manager (Kim) Turner has been a great advocate for the neighborhood,” Preston said.
Recently graduated Newburyport High School power forward Carson Gretz took full advantage of the court Friday morning, shooting around with a friend as he explained he has come to Atwood Park since moving to the city in third grade.
“Me and my dad would just come here all the time. The memories are great. I bring my dogs here all the time,” Gretz said.
Pausing as he made another three-pointer, Gretz said he was surprised but happy to hear the court would be shut down for repaving starting today, claiming he could not remember the last time it had been rehabilitated.
“It’ll definitely be a good court if they pave it again, maybe get more people playing,” Gretz said.
Draining one three-pointer after another as his friend collected the rebounds and hit him with passes as he traveled around the three-point arc, Gretz said he will continue to play basketball at the next level.
“I’m going to Phillips Exeter to play,” Gretz said.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.