A widely-used, but until recently, unlit public basketball court at Magnolia Park in Garden Grove is now illuminated for night play, courtesy of the collaborative efforts of a neighborhood pastor, a non-profit group, and an Orange County businessman.
The partnership of Pastor Sam Barela, from Calvary Chapel NorthGrove, David Atwood, founder of Building Blocks for Hope, Inc., and Nate Goldblum, an account manager with Walter’s Wholesale Electric retail chain, were recognized on Jan. 27.
A widely-used, but until recently, unlit public basketball court at Magnolia Park in Garden Grove is now illuminated for night play, courtesy of the collaborative efforts of a neighborhood pastor, a non-profit group, and an Orange County businessman.
The partnership of Pastor Sam Barela, from Calvary Chapel NorthGrove, David Atwood, founder of Building Blocks for Hope, Inc., and Nate Goldblum, an account manager with Walter’s Wholesale Electric retail chain, were recognized on Jan. 27.
Mayor Bao Nguyen and the Garden Grove City Council officially dedicated two, 20-foot light poles, made possible by the trio, and which now tower over a freshly-paved and striped basketball court at Magnolia Park, 11402 Magnolia Street.
Barela, a Garden Grove resident for more than 30 years, noticed youths using flashlights to play basketball in the evening at Magnolia Park. He brought this safety issue to Atwood, who then coordinated the donation of two light towers and fixtures with Nate Goldblum, an employee with Walter’s Wholesale Electric.
The poles and floodlights, valued at $2,500, were wired and cemented onto concrete bases by staff from the city’s Public Works Department. The energy saving light poles feature an optic eye sensor, triggered each evening at sunset.
For more information, contact the recreation division at 714-741-5200.
