NEW BASKETBALL COURTS OPEN MAY 25 AT WELLS PARK

Source: City of El Cajon

Image: CC by SA

May 22, 2023 (El Cajon) - New basketball courts at Wells Park (1153 E Madison Ave, El Cajon) will open on May 25 with a ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. The 18-acre park was built in 1953 and is in the middle of the City’s most population-dense residential housing area.

“We are incredibly excited to open these basketball courts adjacent to our recently installed soccer arena,” said Mayor Bill Wells. “It is part of our ongoing mission to further develop Wells Park as a safe, outdoor recreation hub for our El Cajon families.” A study by the USDA showcased that adding active recreation in public parks decreases crimes in areas by as much as 17%.

The new basketball courts are the latest addition to Wells Park, which already features several lighted sports fields, a playground, a large dog park featuring separate areas for large and small dogs as well as a canine agility course, an outdoor fitness court, and an outdoor mini-pitch soccer court. New restroom facilities are under construction and scheduled to open at the start of summer. A new Pickleball Court will also begin construction within the following year.

“This new court is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood,” said Parks & Recreation Director Frank Carson. “Local youth now have even more opportunities to safely engage in community recreation.”

The grand opening celebration of the new basketball courts will include remarks from the Mayor and City Council and staff from the Department of Parks and Recreation. A ribbon cutting will cap off the ceremony.

The cost of the new basketball courts is $245,000, with 100% of the funding coming from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.