On Sunday, June 3rd, Steve Francis finally had the opportunity to officially open the renovated Piney Branch Park in his hometown of Takoma Park, a moment he has been dreaming about for almost 25 years since he first moved to Maple Avenue.

In a true example of how a private-public partnership should work, the Steve Francis Foundation joined forces with Montgomery County and the City of Takoma Park to make the improvements and upkeep of the Park possible.

The newly renovated park now provides a safe place for all community members to enjoy theoutdoors. It is as peaceful as ever, but now includes the following features:

• A refurbished basketball court with a color-coated surface and six new basketball goals, enabling half-court play;
• Two new playgrounds;
• A new skateboard park,
• A new picnic pavilion; and “Takoma Trees,”—sculptures at both entrances to the park, created by local artist Judy Moore, with support from the Montgomery County Arts and Humanities Council

The new basketball courts are dedicated to Mr. Anthony Langley, Francis’ former coach and long-time president of the Takoma Park Boys and Girls Club; the new picnic pavilion is dedicated to Mrs. Brenda Wilson Bryant, in honor of Steve Francis’ late mother; and in appreciation of Steve Francis’ donation Montgomery Parks painted his signature on the surface of the basketball court.

The event also received excellent media coverage. Please check out the photos in our gallery and the links to media coverage below.

• Click Here for More Photos

• Press Box, June 15, 2012: “Front Row: Ex-Terp Ace Francis Honors His Hometown”

• Yahoo Sports Prep Rally Blog, June 5, 2012: “Steve Francis donates $70,000 to redevelop his childhood park, courts,”

• Takoma Park Patch, June 5, 2012: “Takoma Park basketball legend dedicates park,” (ran on Montgomery County Newswire).

• The Gazette, June 4, 2012: “Takoma Park native returns to dedicate basketball court,”

• ESPN 980, Inside the Locker Room, June 1, 2012: Radio interview with Steve Francis

• BlackCelebrityGiving.com, June 17, 2012: "NBA Veteran Steve Francis Gives Back to Hometown with $70,000 donation!