Carrying Forward Titus Sparrow’s Legacy: Building Free Youth Tennis Clinics in the South End

Written By Shelley Brown

When Titus Sparrow Park reopened after a year-long renovation, our goal as a newly reenergized Board went far beyond restoring courts and green space. We wanted the park to feel alive again, a true community hub for the entire South End. In the spring of 2025, we quietly launched a six-week youth tennis clinic as a first step toward that vision.

As a mom of two, I know firsthand how important sports are in helping children build confidence and connection. That understanding is why I’ve taken the lead on kids’ sports programming at the park. Our tennis initiative was designed around one core belief: access matters. Recreation should never be a privilege reserved for a few, it should be something every child can experience, regardless of a family’s resources.

Why Tennis?

Titus Sparrow believed deeply in the power of sports to bring people together, build confidence, and create opportunity for young people in the neighborhood — beliefs shaped in part by his own impressive tennis career. As a nationally ranked player and longtime advocate for the sport, he understood firsthand how tennis could open doors, teach discipline, and create community.

Offering free tennis clinics felt like a meaningful way to honor that legacy. Each time a child picked up a racket, some for the very first time, the courts became a living expression of the values Titus Sparrow stood for. Watching kids laugh, learn, and play on a court that bears his name is the clearest way we know to carry his spirit forward and ensure the park remains what he always envisioned: a place where community and opportunity meet.

Sparrow (far left in center photograph) instructing his tennis students,
February 17, 1964 (Boston Globe)

Building the Program: What It Really Takes

Programs like this don’t happen by accident. Behind every joyful afternoon on the court is months of planning, coordination, and problem-solving.

Community partnerships were the foundation.
The first step was finding a partner with deep experience and a strong reputation in youth tennis coaching. We wanted to be sure children were learning from skilled, trusted instructors, which led us to partner with Hill House — a Boston nonprofit based in Beacon Hill with a long-standing track record in youth sports programming. Their coaching expertise, paired with a shared commitment to accessibility, made them a natural fit.

From there, it was equally important to connect with South End organizations that serve students who would benefit from free access to the clinics. We were proud to welcome students from United South End Settlements’ Club 48 (USES) and Blackstone Elementary School this fall, ensuring the program reached families already deeply rooted in the neighborhood.

Access drove every decision.
We’ve been thrilled to bring tennis clinics to kids right here in the South End for the first time in many years! To ensure equitable access to our clinics, we offered paid spots to local families as well as free spots through our community partners, USES and Blackstone Elementary School. Equipment was provided to any child who needed it. That meant sourcing kid-friendly rackets and figuring out practical logistics like where to securely store tennis equipment between sessions so it was always ready to go.

Timing mattered more than we expected.
Finding the right time slots was critical. We worked to schedule clinics after school and on days that worked for families juggling work, childcare, and other commitments. The goal was simple: if a child wanted to participate, timing shouldn’t be the reason they couldn’t. 

Funding had to be thoughtful and responsible.
Although Titus Sparrow Park is a City of Boston park, The Friends of Titus Sparrow Park receives no funding from the City. Making our programs sustainable and equitable means carefully budgeting, fundraising, and ensuring that funds raised are used intentionally to support high-quality, safe, and consistent programming. We are deeply grateful to Hill House for generously partnering with us to fund the free tennis spots.

The Impact in 2025

After the success of our spring tennis clinic with 20 participants, we brought the program back for another six-week session in the fall. Building on what we learned in the spring, we welcomed more than 30 kids ages 6–12 to the courts. What unfolded went far beyond forehands and backhands. We saw confidence grow, friendships form, and children who might not otherwise step onto a tennis court begin to feel a true sense of belonging

Looking Ahead to 2026

We’re proud of what we built in 2025, and we’re just getting started.

In 2026, we plan to continue offering tennis clinics and explore bringing that same thoughtful, access-driven approach to basketball programming. These clinics take time, planning, and resources to do well, and we’re committed to growing responsibly, without compromising quality or accessibility.

To accomplish our goals, we depend on the support of neighbors, sponsors, and donors who believe, as Titus Sparrow did, that parks should serve as spaces of opportunity, connection, and joy for everyone.

Thank you for helping us carry that legacy forward, one racket, one bounce, and one child at a time. If you’d like to support programs like this, please consider donating to The Friends of Titus Sparrow Park.

Shelley Brown

Shelley is a longtime South End resident who first moved to the neighborhood to attend graduate school at Boston University’s School of Public Health. What began as a temporary move quickly became something more permanent, and she now lives in the South End with her family.

Public parks and community programming have played an especially meaningful role in Shelley’s family life. Her two children (and dog!) have grown up spending countless hours at Titus Sparrow Park — playing on the playground, meeting friends, and learning what it means to share a neighborhood space. Her family has also attended and hosted countless parties and playdates at the park. These experiences provided not only structured activities, but also lasting friendships and strong connections across the South End.

In the spring of 2023, Shelley joined the Board of Titus Sparrow Park to become more engaged in the future of this beloved community space, particularly as plans for park renovations were being developed. Serving on the board has deepened her appreciation for the collaboration required to maintain and improve public parks, as well as the importance of listening to neighborhood voices and ensuring that changes reflect the needs of families, children, and long-time residents alike.

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