City To Transform Fulton Park Basketball Court Into A Work Of Art.

City To Transform Fulton Park Basketball Court Into A Work Of Art.

MAY 4, 2023

The City of Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation announced a partnership to transform the Fulton Park basketball court into a work of art.

In the coming months, the department will be working with Josh Barnett, owner of 19nine, and world-renowned Project Backboard to resurface, renovate and paint a mural on top of the new court.

The Board of Park Commissioners approved the partnership at today’s meeting. Additional proposed project components include upgraded goals, bleachers, lighting, and fence replacement.

The Parks Department is also working on other improvements at Fulton Park, which will be announced at a later date.

“The new Five-Year Master Plan process identified numerous opportunities for improvement within the parks system and the basketball court at Fulton Park is on the list,” said Deputy Mayor/interim Parks Director Steve Schaefer. “We’re thrilled that Josh and his team are bringing Project Backboard to Evansville. Creating a new destination basketball court will be a huge improvement and will stimulate additional investments into the park.”

19nine also hopes to develop a merchandise line to promote the court transformation. Proceeds would contribute towards the project and potentially other locations in the city.

“Our commitment to Evansville and the game of basketball is what drove us to seek out this partnership.” said 19nine owner Josh Barnett. “The added support of businesses such as Azzip Pizza and Heritage Petroleum shows the willingness to give back to the community.”

About Project Backboard

Project Backboard is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that renovates public basketball courts and installs large-scale works of site-specific art on court surfaces.