Flushing pick-up league for older adult ballers set to re-open

A popular pick-up league for older adults will re-open at the Al Oerter Recreation Center next week. Photo via Park Department.

By David Brand

A Flushing basketball program for older adults that participants feared would close until September will in fact reopen next week, the Parks Department said Wednesday.

The Senior Basketball Program at Al Oerter Recreation Center provides court time for adults over 50 every Friday morning. A few dozen Queens ballers show up to play each week, but participants who reached out to the Eagle said the Parks Department told members the city would terminate the season without providing an explanation.

“Many seniors feel discriminated against,” one player wrote in an email.

A Parks Department spokesperson said the league will resume next week, however.

“The Senior Basketball Program at Al Oerter Recreation Center has been postponed due to planning delays,” the spokesperson said in an email. “We are grateful to everyone for their patience as we make necessary programming and registration adjustments, and we are excited to restart the program next Friday, February 7.”