Hoboken Loves Tennis: New Courts Open Late

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The US Open are still 10 days to go, yet Hoboken is already in the right mood. The new public courts in Columbus Park - surmounted by a mural of the Hobokenite Michael Chang - have opened their gates during the last months, then just a few weeks ago a brand new surface has been laid - and days ago also the night lighting has been added. Now people can play from early morning to late night (usually until 9.30 pm) on the three courts, and for tennis lovers there couldn't be a greater blessing.

The courts are just the latest improvements Columbus Park has been witnessing through the last year. First came the new playground, then the water park with its water jets that amaze and refresh kids and now the renewed courts - at the end of which a new basketball ground is taking life.

Hoboken tennis lovers have plenty of choice, however. Besides Columbus Park, there are the two regular and the three paddle tennis courts on 12th Street & Adam (even though they close around 8 pm). And sport lovers in general here in Hoboken may have a busy schedule just deciding if they prefer to play tennis or basketball, or workout or skate totally for free. Because what may look obvious to whom was born or raised here, is not that granted elsewhere. In Italy for instance, where I come from, public sports facilities are not common - I'd rather say they don't exist at all.

Now that I'm living here I can truly appreciate the importance of it.

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