ST. LOUIS — Get ready to slam dunk as the highly anticipated basketball courts at Forest Park are expected to open early next month.

A ribbon cutting has been planned for Tuesday, July 9, at 2 p.m. with St. Louis officials and representatives of private donors who contributed to the project, according to Forest Park Forever’s website.

In addition, a community celebration and formal dedication of the Nicholas J. Booker Basketball Courts is set for Saturday, July 13, at 10 a.m. 

There will be food, ice cream, music, lawn games, activities and more.

The project features two full basketball courts and two half courts, located north of the visitor center. 

Amenities include lighting, a shade pavilion, player and spectator seating, new trees and landscaping.

Preliminary plans of the basketball courts were unveiled to the public in January, however, the project has been in the works since 2020 in partnership with the St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry and Forest Park Forever.

Throughout the process, community members have had the chance to provide feedback and share thoughts on the project.  

The groundbreaking for the project occurred in November where it was announced that the courts will be named in memory of Nicholas J. Booker, a St. Louis native who loved basketball.

During his first year of college, Booker died after having an asthma attack while playing a game of basketball. As a teenager, he worked at Forest Park for the St. Louis Parks and Recreation Department.

The upcoming events are free, but those who want to participate in games can sign up online. 

For more information about the basketball courts, visit the Forest Park Forever website.