Windham Park’s new basketball courts draw attention

The new basketball courts by the Windham Public Safety
Building on Gray Road have been a big hit. The courts are
Phase Two of the larger Windham Community Park project
which also includes sand volleyball courts, scheduled to be 
installed by this fall. PHOTO BY PAT MOODY   

By Matt Pascarella

If you’ve driven by the Windham Public Safety building on Gray Road, you’ve probably noticed the new basketball courts in Windham Park. The bright blue courts are usually occupied by many players from Windham or members of adjoining towns who are very excited about the new facility.

In addition to the basketball courts, there is also a sand volleyball court which is projected to be ready soon. The basketball courts, which are open from dawn to dusk are Phase Two of Windham’s Community Park Project.

The goal of the new courts is to provide a safe and accessible location for people of any age to take part in an activity that is fun and healthy. The vision for the Community Park is to provide something for everyone.

Along with the courts, Phase Two included stormwater management infrastructure, installation of the electrical conduits for eventual installation of lighting and sand volleyball court installation. The final cost of Phase Two was $160,783.

“The department is thrilled to see all of the activity and hear the positive responses to the new courts,” said Windham Parks and Recreation Director Linda Brooks. “We are grateful for those who are already stepping forward to be good stewards of the property by picking up trash and bottles.”

The basketball courts will soon have four benches that Home Depot will donate. Eventually, the plan is to have the court fenced in with surrounding lights installed. At the moment there is no time frame on when those pieces of the phase will be completed.

In addition to being lined for basketball, the courts are also lined for pickleball. Windham’s Department of Parks and Recreation does have portable nets on order that they will keep at the court for those who would like to play pickleball.

Another part of Phase Two is the sand volleyball courts. The Department of Parks and Recreation are waiting for a few parts to be delivered and will soon be installing the volleyball net. Construction of the nets will hopefully be completed for use this fall. 

Once approved, phase three of the Community Park Project could include a playground, walking path, exercise stations, lighting for the courts and stormwater draining. Brooks said the Department of Parks and Recreation would be seeking potential grant money for some of these items in order to expedite the completion of this multi-phase project.

“It’s nice to have an outside facility to be able to come out to, especially during Covid when a lot of the indoor stuff was shut down,” said Windham resident Michael O’Donnell.  “It’s newer and you can tell they did a good job with it. (The surface is) nice and bouncy ... it’s not as hard on our knees and shins.”

O’Donnell said the courts are good for the town because it provides another area for kids to play. It gets people together and keeps kids out of trouble. He said the more stuff like this that can be brought to the town the better.

“Windham is a growing town with hundreds of youths and adults actively participating in organized basketball and volleyball. This new space gives our growing community access to quality facilities to grow their skills and love of the game,” said former Windham Youth Basketball (WYBA) President and current Board Member Pat Moody.

WYBA and the Windham High School coaches have begun discussing plans for how to best make use of the basketball courts for clinics, tournaments, and potential leagues.

“The Rising Eagles Basketball program will be the first organized program to utilize the courts later this month when Coach Chad Pulkkinen and Coach Geoff Grigsby conduct free training to middle school players interested in skill development and gaining a better understanding of the fundamentals of the game,” said Moody.

Incoming Windham High School senior Nathan Fitzgerald said he’s been to the court several times and likes it because it’s easy to get to and it’s a good way to get outside and get some activity in.

“Instead of people ... going up to Manchester (School), they can just come here. It’s near town center. It’s going to get a lot of people outside and a lot of people active,” said Fitzgerald, who is also excited for more phases of the Community Park Project.

If you would like to donate to the Community Park Project, please call the Windham Department of Parks and Recreation at 892-1905. <