On a sweltering Monday afternoon at Carson Park on Indianapolis’ Southside, members of the Indiana Fever helped cut the ribbon on Indy’s newest basketball court. The ribbon cutting ceremony was the result of more than a year of planning and collaboration between the Indianapolis Parks Foundation, Indy Parks & Recreation, Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL), the Indiana Fever, and the Pacers Foundation.

There to assist with the opening were scores of children who are part of the Indy Parks’ day camp; and, with the help of Fever players Maggie Lucas, Marissa Coleman, Lynetta Kizer, and Jeanette Pohlen, the kids ran through drills that emphasized staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

PHOTO GALLERY Fever Players Help Open Basketball Court »

“I hope the kids learn that if there is something they’re not good at or something they need to work on, that they just continue to have fun with it,” said Pohlen, who was teaching the energetic campers the basics of dribbling on the brand new blue-topped court.

As the kids rotated through the stations of drills with the Fever players, Lori Hazlett, the president of the Parks Foundation, looked on with delight as her hard work on the project was finally coming to fruition. “We are grateful for this five-year commitment from IPL and Pacers Foundation to renovate basketball courts for our youth, adults, and families to enjoy,” Hazlett said.

The enjoyment was evident on the faces of the children playing a game of knockout with the Fever’s leading scorer, Marissa Coleman. “We are doing shooting which is a lot of fun,” Coleman explained. “The kids love shooting so we’re over here playing some knockout. The winner gets to play me so they’re excited about that.”

The newly renovated court at Carson Park is one of many in the Indianapolis area. Basketball courts at Thatcher, Garfield, Olin, Bertha Ross Parks have already been completed. Up next on Indianapolis Parks Foundation’s list is the basketball courts at Gardner, Christina Oaks, and Dubarry Parks.

Pohlen, who showcased her crossover dribble for the kids at her station, was honored to be a part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, as well as to be a part of such an active organization in the local community.

“By investing in the renovation of this court,” Pohlen explained. “We are giving kids in our community a safe, fun, and exciting place to develop skills and make good choices.”