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About Us

Our Story

The quaint Fairlawn Park on the corner of Homestead and Woodbine in Waterbury, CT was embroiled in controversy when $250,000 in grant money became available to renovate the grounds. Some area residents, annoyed by the litter and vandalism, suggested that the basketball court attracted a criminal element. They wanted the court out of the re-design.

Waterbury attorney Joe Summa, who grew up in the Fairlawn neighborhood, was asked by the area's kids to help them keep their court. Summa, a former All-American at Wesleyan University and a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, played basketball at the park and at Sacred Heart High School. He still goes back from time to time to play some hoops with the area kids. Summa suggested that they should take an active role in cleaning the place up.

pulled quote Summa helped the youngsters form the Fairlawn Park Basketball Association. All members signed a pledge to be respectful of neighbors, to obey park rules and to keep the park presentable. He brought in the community police officer, Joe Padua, to talk to the kids. He signed up firefighters at nearby Engine 5 to the Fairlawn Park Basketball Association, and he drew in sponsors who pledged financial support to supplement city resources.

Even Waterbury Police Superintendent Neil O'Leary came to the Park Board meeting to endorse saving the court.

By unanimous vote, the Park Board voted to keep a basketball court as part of the permanent plans for Fairlawn. Today, the kids continue to keep their promise to the Fairlawn residents, keeping the language and court clean, while playing basketball and having fun.

The Fairlawn Park Basketball Association has become an AAU affiliated Sec. 501(c) non-profit organization whose purpose is to preserve the neighborhood atmosphere in the park and provide athletic, educational and social opportunities for neighborhood kids.

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Kingz are Fairlawn Kings With hard work and persistence, anything is possible. With help from a few dedicated members of the community, a motivated group of Waterbury kids were able to turn their fading dreams into a vibrant reality.
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Waterbury park gets boost from technology Internet technology allows curious kids and concerned parents a sneak peek into what is going on at Fairlawn Park - any time of day. Technology donated by local companies is just one of the many tactics used to clean up the park.
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U-15 Nutmeg Games Champions The Connecticut Kingz 15-under team won the gold medal at the 2006 Nutmeg State Games! The Kingz beat the Bridgeport-based Connecticut Future Stars 54-51 in an intense and exciting overtime game.
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Coming Soon - Open gym periods at Waterbury ARC
Spring 2007 - Park Opens
May 2007 - T-Shirts and pledge sign ups for Fairlawn Park Basketball Association
View the CT Kingz Schedule
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