In the heart of Queens, a unique passion project is underway. Craig Campanella, a resident of Jackson Heights, is on a mission to restore the iconic swoosh sound of basketball to local parks. Armed with a foldable ladder and a gym bag full of tools, he scours the borough, replacing worn-out nets on basketball hoops.
Campanella’s journey began years ago when he noticed the lack of nets on hoops in Harlem’s Morningside Park. ‘And hoops without nets make me sad,’ he admitted. This observation sparked a passion that has since grown into a full-fledged mission to improve the basketball experience for players across Queens.
From Harlem to Queens: A Mission Grows
Campanella’s initial goal was to replace 25 nets this year, a target he surpassed on a recent Sunday at Thomas Noonan Playground in Sunnyside. His dedication has led him to scout parks in Astoria, Long Island City, and Elmhurst, where he meticulously installs new nets, one court at a time.
Each net costs $10.99, a small price to pay for the joy it brings to the community. ‘It’s just a little thing that I feel like, all hoops should have nets,’ Campanella said. ‘I figured, life’s been good to me, so I can spare the bucks and I can do it.’
The Impact of a Simple Gesture
The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Players often ask if installing nets is Campanella’s job, a testament to the impact of his work. His actual day job as a data manager has equipped him with the skills to expand his operation to 63 parks within six Queens community boards.
‘I would love to put my eyeballs on every hoop in those six community boards this year, inventory them all, and replace as many nets as I can,’ he said. Through his work, he has identified four distinct hoop types, each presenting its own set of challenges.
A Community Effort
The Parks Department has given its blessing to Campanella’s mission. A spokesperson confirmed that they have no issues with New Yorkers putting up nets on the approximately 2,900 basketball hoops in city parks. ‘We have some leagues who take it upon themselves to hang nets and we don’t have a problem with it,’ said Gregg McQueen.
Campanella’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Players from a regular pickup basketball league in Woodside expressed their gratitude for his work. ‘Putting nets on hoops isn’t going to necessarily solve the world’s problems,’ Campanella said. ‘But it’s something I can do. It’s tangible. It makes me smile, and it makes other people in the park smile, and so I just do it.’
The Sound of Basketball
For many, the sound of a basketball swishing through the net is an iconic part of the game. Rahi Miah, a 32-year-old software engineer from Sunnyside, took the first shot on one of the newly installed nets at Thomas Noonan Playground. ‘The sound is everything,’ he said. ‘It’s probably the best sound you can hear when you’re shooting a basketball.’
Campanella’s mission is more than just about installing nets; it’s about bringing joy and improving the experience for players. His dedication has transformed local courts and brought back the sound that makes basketball so special.
