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HISTORY & MISSION

McCarren Tennis Association (MTA) is a 100% volunteer-run, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving access to public tennis courts in McCarren Park. Our mission is to advocate for free, equitable use of public park space and to support a thriving community around the game of tennis in North Brooklyn.

If you’d like to get involved, please reach out by filling out the contact form below or emailing us at info@mccarrentennis.org. Volunteers are the heart of what we do.

MTA was founded in 2009 by a group of local players who came together in response to the severe neglect of McCarren Park’s public tennis courts. At the time, all seven courts had fallen into dangerous disrepair. In a spontaneous act of community spirit, the group resurfaced Court #7 themselves—a spark of grassroots tennis volunteerism that launched the organization.

This effort caught the attention of the USTA and American Express, who partnered with MTA through the "Fresh Courts Initiative" to fully renovate all seven courts—just in time for the 2010 US Open season.

Since then, MTA has remained a steadfast advocate for public access, transparency, and equity in the management and use of McCarren Park’s tennis facilities.

Since 2010, the McCarren Tennis Association (MTA) has worked hand-in-hand with NYC Parks staff, court attendants, and local volunteers to help maintain the courts, organize summer ladder leagues and tournaments, and provide free youth clinics—all with the goal of building an inclusive, community-centered tennis culture in McCarren Park.

Despite this sustained grassroots effort, MTA has not yet been recognized as a formal partner by NYC Parks when it comes to long-term planning or capital funding decisions affecting the tennis courts and their surrounding underutilized areas. As a result, the courts have been left out of recent rounds of major public investment in McCarren Park, highlighting a continued pattern of neglect:

2016–2019: McCarren Turf Soccer Field – $3.5 million (Mayoral Funding)
2018–2023: McCarren Ball Field 3 Reconstruction – $5–10 million (Mayoral Funding)
2016–2023: McCarren Bathhouse Restoration – $11.6 million (Mayoral Funding)
(Note: Multiple NYC pool facilities have each received separate capital allocations.)

Meanwhile, a major ongoing challenge for MTA—and for the broader North Brooklyn community—is the balance between public and private use. A private vendor currently operates a for-profit winter tennis bubble on the McCarren courts under a lease with NYC Parks that extends through 2035. This long-term arrangement continues to complicate efforts to secure regular public maintenance and uphold the principle of accessible public tennis for all.

MTA remains committed to advocating for transparency, equity, and public reinvestment in McCarren Park’s tennis facilities—and we welcome others to join us in this important work.

In 2024, the McCarren Tennis Association reorganized and officially registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, now operating as the McCarren Tennis Association Corp (MTAC).

With this new chapter, MTAC has set clear and achievable goals to better serve the growing North Brooklyn tennis community. These goals include:

Opening a constructive dialogue with NYC Parks, Community Board 1, and local elected officials
Advocating for additional public tennis courts to meet rising demand
Installing energy-efficient LED lighting to extend safe and equitable court access
Participating in the planning and design of improvements to the adjacent underutilized concrete field, green spaces, and landscaping

MTAC is committed to promoting health, wellness, and social connection through the game of tennis. We aim to ensure that public park resources are welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

By leveraging the talent, creativity, and dedication of our volunteer members, MTAC continues to build on its legacy of community-driven advocacy in the heart of McCarren Park.

Portfolio

2024 GOALS

GOAL 1

Establish an open and effective dialogue with the NYC Parks Department & Community Board 1 Committee in order to be an engaged and active participant in the proposed future plans for the concrete field adjacent to the current tennis courts. MTAC believes it is critical to advocate for more public access spaces that are inclusive of the community at large for which these open spaces serve. ie. advocate to include more "accessible public tennis courts", install additional lighting for all courts, provide more "family friendly" seating areas, repair/replace the existing fence, improve the surrounding landscaping etc.

GOAL 2

MTAC will endeavor to grow local business connections and sponsorships with our expanding community events and annual summer ladder & fall ladder tournament. MTAC will return to an annual Open Spring Doubles Tournament to kick off the public access season. MTA's last hosted a Open Doubles Tournament in 2010.

GOAL 3

MTAC will ensure the public spring-summer-fall outdoor season are always oriented towards the “public good." MTAC is honored to act as a liason with NYC Parks in our joint efforts towards annual court maintenance, free public youth tennis programs and charitable events. Utmost importance is establishing a timely and routine court maintenance program along side NYC Parks (immediately after the private bubble removal in late spring as well as throughout the outdoor Summer season).

GOAL 4

MTAC encourages tennis players to embrace nature by respecting the landscaping, vegetation and wildlife habitats surrounding the tennis courts. McCarren Tennis Courts have become one of the natural hunting grounds for a family of "Red Tail Hawks". Every spring and summer, players often witness the red tail hawks hunting for their meals and swooping over the courts with amazing grace and speed.

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