American Express and USTA Serve Fresh Courts to Fenty Administration

DPR Contact: John Stokes, (202) 673-2195
EOM Contact: Jennifer Nguyen, (202) 340-8420

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Jesús Aguirre, United States Tennis Association (USTA) President and Chairman of the Board Lucy Garvin, American Express Vice President of Global Partnerships and Experiential Marketing Rich Lehrfeld and Legg Mason Tennis Classic Tournament Director Jeff Newman, and tennis star John Isner joined youth athletes from Turkey Thicket Recreation Center and Latin American Youth Center’s Pancho Gonzalez tennis program for an announcement renovating two tennis courts adjacent to DPR headquarters, 3149 16th Street, NW, through the American Express and USTA program, “Fresh Courts”.

The “Fresh Courts” program invests in communities by renovating tennis courts. In its inaugural year, the “Fresh Courts” program is renovating 17 tennis courts in Los Angeles, California, New York City, New York, and the District of Columbia during the US Open Series events. The announcement is included in the city’s celebration of “Tennis Week”, Friday, July 30 through Sunday, August 8th and coincides with the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.

“The District of Columbia is proud to be included in the “Fresh Courts” program,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “The public-private partnership between USTA and American Express and the District helps us provide District residents with quality recreational opportunities that support healthy, active lifestyles.”

“For the past year, we have been working hard to provide high quality tennis instruction and programs for our youth,” said DPR Director Jesús Aguirre. “With the renovated courts, our youth tennis stars will have first-rate facilities that match their tennis skills.”

“American Express’ “Fresh Courts” program will impact thousands of tennis fans and is a tremendous example of our partners giving back to communities that support tennis,” said Lucy S. Garvin, USTA President and Chairman of the Board. “With their support we can bring our new QuickStart play format to more kids than ever before.”

“American Express has been a proud sponsor of the US Open for 17 years, bringing fans closer to the sport they love and enhancing viewing experiences for Cardmembers live on-site,” said Jessica Igoe, Director of Global Sponsorship Marketing, American Express. “Our goal with “Fresh Courts” is to inspire and grow the local passion for tennis, while reinvesting valuable resources to strengthen the community through sport.”

The renovations to the tennis courts are expected to be completed or facilitated by USTA’s Public Facilities Assistance department beginning in August as a gift to the city. The $30,000 renovations to the two tennis courts include: resurfacing of the entire courts, installing new tennis nets, installing new fencing, and installing new sidewalks and benches.