Feb. 7, 2025
By Madison Quick
Staff Writer
For decades, the William C. Landells Courts on 252 Delafield Ave. offered residents three basketball courts—that is, until construction began on Nov. 25, 2024. Now, the well-known spot is being overhauled to include four pickleball courts, a modernized basketball court, outdoor fitness equipment and a walking track.
The construction project, which is set to end in Spring 2025, is estimated to cost $842,000, according to Parks Department Supervisor Thomas Cafaro. He said the project has been made possible through Bergen County Open Space, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and New Jersey Local Recreation Improvement grants.
“These grants have been applied for and accumulated over the past four years and will be used to pay for more than 50% of the project,” Cafaro said. “The remaining costs are paid by the township.”
Cafaro said young people usually used Landells Courts to play half-court basketball games.
“They weren’t really using the full court, so it would be one game [on] one side and one game going on the other side, which they could still do,” Cafaro said.
Commissioner of Parks & Public Properties John Montillo said that even with the loss of the basketball courts, there are plenty of others in town for residents to use.
“Jefferson School has a full court. We have courts at Lewandowski [Park]. We also have basketball nets down at the Little League fields,” Montillo said.
He said the courts needed to be updated because the asphalt, basketball nets and fencing had deteriorated.
“We’re fortunate to have such a beautiful park in the center of town, so it was time to renovate the rest of it,” Montillo said.
Like Montillo, freshman Sebastian Lupinski said the basketball courts needed repair.
“The courts were really rundown,” Lupinski said. “Since [Lyndhurst will have a] brand new train station, they have to revamp the park area too.”
Lupinski said pickleball courts are a good fit to replace the basketball courts.
“It’s nice that they are… upgrading the basketball court and building pickleball courts because I know a lot of people play pickleball and would greatly appreciate it,” Lupinski said.
While Cafaro, Montillo and Lupinski regard the construction project positively, others are concerned about the change.
Sophomore Brett Schutt said he used to spend summer nights at Landells Courts playing basketball with his friends.
“It’s a shame that some kids won’t have those summer nights anymore,” Schutt said. “I talked to a few people about it. They are really upset with it. They don’t like what’s happening.”
Schutt said the reduced number of basketball courts will cause fewer residents to be exposed to the sport.
“They won’t really develop a love for basketball,” Schutt said. “Kids like me that wanted… and needed the courts won’t have that.”
“We’re fortunate to have such a beautiful park in the center of town, so it was time to renovate the rest of it.”
Sophomore George Shekiladze said with just one basketball court, people will have fewer opportunities to use them.
“I’m sure a bunch of people are going to be really mad and aren’t going to go out to play basketball anymore,” Shekiladze said.
He said in nice weather, he and his friends noticed the courts were in constant use.
“Especially after school, every single hoop [was taken]. We would go and have to wait for a hoop to be opened up,” Shekiladze said.
He said the courts gave young people a chance to socialize while staying active.
“[The courts] made me want to go outside a lot with my friends. It was always something we could do,” said Shekiladze.
