People playing on FP Movement tennis courts

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Restoring Philadelphia’s Hawthorne Court

By: Elizabeth Rakow

FP Movement teamed up with the city of Philadelphia to revive a beloved neighborhood court.

“We do hope that this is more than just a surface to play on, that it’s a place for the community to gather and enjoy each other’s company and to move together,” said Jack Reynolds, FP Movement’s Chief Marketing Officer addressing the crowd at the opening of Philadelphia's new and improved Hawthorne Court on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Tennis aficionados, community representatives, and FP Movement brand ambassadors gathered at the scene, taking in the fresh-painted lines, the bright color enhancements, and the undeniable sense of a job well done. A project that’s been underway since early 2025, FP Movement partnered with the City of Philadelphia to restore the public tennis court at the Hawthorne Cultural Center—a cherished community space in the heart of South Philly. As part of our commitment to fostering movement and connection, the team saw no better way than to do so through a homegrown effort, working directly with the city that our brand has called home since its onset.

“Our brands are born and raised here in the city of Philadelphia,” Jack continued, “opportunities like this to give back to our community and work with the city of Philly are really important to us.”

Alongside Jack stood Courtney Weis, FP Movement’s Director of Brand Marketing, and Lloyd Deane, Communications Director for the Capital Program Office of Philadelphia. Each spoke a bit about the project, shedding light on what it took to make this happen and just how powerful a community can be when we choose to stand together.

“The court was long overdue for improvements. It really needed this investment,” said Philadelphia’s Capital Program Office Communications Director, Lloyd Deane, “What we heard from the community is that they wanted something that could host more than just tennis–they wanted something a little bit more flexible, and what we have now is a court that can accommodate tennis, futsal, and pickleball.”

Rope cutting for new FP Movement tennis courts

THE NEWLY RESTORED HAWTHORNE COURT

The court itself was given a full refresh–and it’s immediately clear upon seeing it. The colors are fresh and bold, inspired by FP Movement’s vibrant brand values. With upbeat music playing in the background and delighted chatter coming from the surrounding basketball courts and playground, the vibe is immediately communal. It doesn’t feel like a space that a brand has slapped their name on–it feels like an opportunity to bring fresh energy to what was once worn and weathered, a chance to refresh rather than replace.

FP Movement supported funding for the development and restoration of the court, which included painting on varying sport-court lines to offer multi-activity opportunities for the local community. The court has been fully resurfaced and reimagined with multi-sport lines for tennis, futsal, pickleball, and more, its bold new color palette transforming the space into a visual anchor for the neighborhood.

As the speeches came to a close, it was time to put this new court to the test. Led by local tennis pros, the warmups commenced and the court sport crew got to show their stuff in a series of tennis drills, including volleying and footwork.

Local fitness instructors Jordyn Amoroso and Alexis Guss cultivated an engaged, excited group whose positivity was palpable. The group contained skill levels of all kinds, with some looking right at home swinging a racket and others giving it a try for the very first time.

“Thank you to Alexis and Jordyn for cultivating such a great community–you are great advocates for FP Movement. Thank you so much for bringing your community here together to play.” FP Movement Marketing Director, Courtney Weis, remarked in her speech.

“These upgrades demonstrate what’s possible when the City, community, and private partners work together.”

“Co-hosting a clinic with Alexis right here in our hometown was a true testament to FP Movement's commitment to Philadelphia's community and the brand's roots,” said local influencer and tennis clinic host, Jordyn Amoroso.

“We were so excited for our friends to sweat it out with us on the perfect summer day in our FP Movement gear. With our chic tennis whites on and the music blasting, it was electric to work out in a social setting and mix it up a little from the standard studio workout! Once the clinic wrapped everyone kept asking us if we could do it again. Shout out AJ: an iconic tennis pro!”

All in all, the court opening was a success, kicking off what will be a 2-part restoration effort at the Hawthorne Cultural Center in South Philadelphia. New seating and sports equipment are already in place, and additional enhancements, like a new playground and perimeter fencing, are scheduled as part of the next phase of improvements. As Philadelphia Director of Communications, Lloyd Dean, puts it, “These upgrades demonstrate what’s possible when the City, community, and private partners work together. Partnerships like this one increase the impact of public investments and help deliver spaces that feel modern, inclusive, and truly meet the needs of neighborhood residents.”

As the court was put to use and community members gathered to check out the event, you could feel a sense of community in the air–something that would last long after the launch event was over.