Pink Lady, the UK’s leading apple brand, has transformed a public basketball court in Islington, London, into an energising work of art which will be opened for public use this month.
The restoration of the court has been funded by Pink Lady apples, as part of its ongoing commitment to creating feel good moments as part of its 'Feel the Wow' campaign.
“We wanted to create a joyful, invigorating space where people can refresh their senses” says Pink Lady UK PR and social manager, Kyla Flynn.“The court in Joseph Grimaldi Park, in the heart of the capital, seemed like the perfect place. It’s a public space where people from the local and surrounding communities can go to play basketball or just enjoy the playful, vibrant design while they get some fresh air.”
To mark the opening of the court, Pink Lady is holding sessions for the local community which will be led by an English basketball champion. To further support the activity and the local community, 5,000 apples will be donated for distribution by FareShare across London including the Islington borough. This comes as part of the 100,000 apples Pink Lady has pledged to donate across the UK this year as part of its ongoing partnership with FareShare, the UK’s largest charity fighting hunger and food waste.
Pink Lady has collaborated with local artist Coco Lom to design the court and Project in The Paint, a not-for-profit organisation, which facilitates the refurbishment and painting of basketball courts across the UK. The project has also been completed in partnership with Islington Council, who own and maintain the court.
Gareth Roberts, director for Project in the Paint said: “With the support of brands such as Pink Lady, it makes it possible for us to promote involvement in grassroots basketball in the UK by renovating and revitalising these basketball courts, turning them into places where communities want to meet, play sport and experience public art together. We hope this collaboration inspires people in the local area and beyond to get involved in community sports and bring this court and future courts to life.”
Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s executive member for environment and transport, also said of the project: “The redevelopment of the Joseph Grimaldi basketball court has completely transformed this space, making it a vibrant, colourful work of art. We hope that this exciting new design will help attract more local people to the court to play basketball, meet with friends, or simply to enjoy the art. By working collaboratively with partners we can make Islington a healthier place, and we are grateful to Pink Lady®, Project in the Paint, and Coco Lom for their fantastic work on this project.”
