Knicks’ all-time 3-point leader on hand to unveil Knicks-themed renovated basketball court, playground on Staten Island

Updated: Aug. 01, 2026, 5:49 a.m. | Published: Jul. 31, 2026, 11:00 a.m.

Knicks’ all-time 3-point leader on hand to unveil new basketball court, playground on Staten Island — Key figures such as John Starks, chief executive officer of Project Hospitality Rev. Dr. Darlene Williams and DHS Administrator Reesa Henderson, cut the ribbon on a refurbished basketball court at the Project Hospitality Family Center on July 30, 2026.Garden of Dreams

By Michael O’Brien | mobrien@siadvance.com

On Thursday morning, Staten Island-based nonprofit Project Hospitality, in partnership with the city’s Department of Homeless Services and the Garden of Dreams Foundation, unveiled a fully renovated playground and basketball court at its Family Shelter in St. George, with Knicks legend John Starks on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Garden of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit charity tied to MSG Sports that is “dedicated to bringing life-changing opportunities to young people in need,” invested $200,000 toward the renovation of the facilities at the location.

The two areas at the Family Shelter are now Knicks-themed, featuring a blue and orange color scheme, “Let’s Go Knicks” engraving on the playground, Knicks-themed backboard decals, and Knicks and Garden of Dreams Foundation logos.

Starks, who joined the Garden of Dreams Foundation board when it was established in 2006 and continues to serve as the Knicks’ alumni relations and fan development advisor, said that Thursday’s ceremony is a crucial example of the work he’s looking to accomplish as one of the foundation’s leaders.

“It’s very important. Me being on the board of the Garden of Dreams Foundation and having our former players involved, as well as our current players, means so much,” Starks told the Advance/SILive.com. “We were all kids at one point in time, and a lot of us went through struggles, so we know how important it is to give back and make sure we’re on the front lines.”

The Tulsa, Oklahoma, native related the Staten Island project to his own hometown spot, Cheyenne Park.

“It was a place I could go every single day to shoot baskets and work on my game,” he said. “I also still have friends that I grew up with to this day, and that’s what environments like this and playgrounds like this give you.”

Rev. Dr. Darlene Williams, chief executive officer of Project Hospitality — which serves the needs of hungry and homeless people — also emphasized the community-building nature of recreational sports like basketball.

“Basketball courts and playgrounds are where people build memories. They play with their friends, they interact with their families. So to be able to do this for the children here is really something that’s amazing,” Williams said.

She also noted how special it was to collaborate with the foundation so closely tied to the Knicks following their NBA championship run, calling it reaffirming that the organization still remembers the community it has long sought to serve amid one of the most exciting periods in franchise history.

“To do this when the Knicks have won the championship means so much, and for them to take the time and invest in our children really helps establish the partnership that we have. It also shows that they really care about the children and the families in Staten Island.”

Reesa Henderson, who was appointed by Mayor Mamdani as administrator of the Department of Homeless Services earlier this month, also spoke about the project’s ability to provide children, in particular, with dignity and opportunities for joy despite living in difficult circumstances.

“It’s very important. Projects like this realize those important facts. Children need places where they can feel safe, comfortable, and not feel like they’re in a shelter. So this is a great example of that. It’s also a great example of government and providers such as Project Hospitality and Garden of Dreams working hand in hand,” Henderson concluded.