Easton basketball courts transformed into colorful masterpieces

EASTON, Md. – Volunteers are transforming basketball courts in Easton into works of art, as part of a project called “Play in Color”.

Shelton Hawkins, originally from the Eastern Shore, organized the project after seeing that the community wasn’t really using the courts at Idlewild or Morton Parks anymore. It’s been a long time coming and the designs were actually chosen through a contest with local students. But after getting approval from the town, volunteers were finally able ton put the lines down on Sunday and started painting on Tuesday.

Hawkins tells 47 ABC he hopes the courts inspire everyone to come together to create a positive atmosphere.

“Community. I really feel like you’ll see that when you drive by because so many people came and painted. If you painted one line, if you painted 10 lines, if you helped on this project you were just as much a part of this project as anyone else. So for me, this court it represents community and unity,” says Hawkins.

The court at Idlewild Park is almost done and the court at Morton Park is next. Money from the town of Easton as well as grants and donations made the projects possible.

Hawkins adds that he also worked with Project Backboard, a group that uses “public basketball courts as a canvas for creative expression in order to strengthen communities and inspire multi-generational play”.

If everything goes as planned, they will host a free basketball camp on June 29th. Hawkins tells 47 ABC he’s also trying to get one of these colorful courts painted in Salisbury as well.