Biden signs Rucker Park historical designation into law
Departing Pres. Joe Biden hit the latest buzzer beater at Rucker Park, signing a bill to historically designate the Harlem “basketball mecca” as a National Commemorative site earlier this month.
The honor celebrates the playground’s role in American history with an official plaque and opens the door for local organizations to partner with the U.S. Department of the Interior. Rucker Park boasts arguably the most famous outdoor basketball court in the world, the Greg Marius Court, which hosted high-profile streetball tournaments and featured appearances by the sport’s biggest stars ranging from Julius “Dr. J” Erving to Kobe Bryant.
The legislation, which the Amsterdam News first reported on back in Sept. 2024, passed both the United States Senate and House of Representatives without going through any hoops. In fact, Rep. Adriano Espaillat recounted how the hearings on Rucker Park served as a rare unifying moment in Congress.
“Everybody was drawn to it, and it met no opposition whatsoever,” said Espaillat over the phone. “Everybody felt that this program in Rucker Park united the country and, of course, united both sides of the House, Democrats and Republicans. We need more of that in our country.”
Last March, Harlem Globetrotter Bobby “Zorro” Hunter testified to Congress about Rucker Park’s history and importance to the community. The court was also a stop for some Black Congressional Caucus members during their annual visit to New York City.
Espaillat, who led the fastbreak for the legislation alongside then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, says the park also serves as a life-saving oasis for local young people. NYCHA developments, including the Polo Grounds and the Rangel Houses, overlook the playground.
Located on 155th Street, Rucker Park sits on land that was once home to the 8th Avenue Railroad Company before initially opening as the PS 156 Playground in the 1950s. While the school ultimately closed, the park endured as a New York City landmark.
Namesake Holcombe Rucker, a World War II veteran and Harlem-based NYC Parks playground director, who contributed to more than 700 scholarships, will also be recognized through the bill. His now-mythologized tournaments drew future NBA legends like Wilt Chamberlin and Lew Alcindor (better known now as Kareem Abdul Jabbar) and pitted them against the top amateur streetball players, who often held their own.
But the games also functioned to encourage youngsters to stay away from the streets and pursue higher education while school was out for summer break.
“Holcombe Rucker had a profound impact on the Harlem community and the game of basketball, and designating Rucker Park as a commemorative site recognizes Mr. Rucker’s cultural contributions and ensures the historic park and incomparable basketball mecca will continue to empower youth for generations to come,” said Sen. Schumer in his statement. “I am proud that Rep. Espaillat and I were able to pass this law, working side-by-side with the dedicated community advocates, to honor the legacy of Holcombe Rucker and Rucker Park…Holcombe Rucker dedicated his life to serving the Harlem community and furthering the game of basketball, and I’m glad we can honor that legacy through the national commemoration of Rucker Park.”
An official ceremony for the commemoration is planned for the summer but an exact date is not set as of press time, according to Espaillat.
Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member who writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.
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