Brookline Memorial Recreation Center
1399 Oakridge Street, Pgh, PA 15226 *** Phone: 412-571-3222

Brookline Memorial Park - March 2014

There's Something For Everyone At The Brookline Recreation Center

Membership in the Brookline Recreation Center is required and it is FREE.
Stop by the office and pick up your Citiparks Membership Card today.
Memberships are good at all Citiparks Recreation Centers.

Last Modified: April 1, 2021




♦ Links to Recreation Center History ♦




Brookline Memorial Park and Recreation Center

The Brookline Memorial Recreation Center, built in 1970, is located in Brookline Memorial Park, along the lower part of Brookline Boulevard in what was once referred to as East Brookline. The Recreation Center facility, and the park itself, commonly known as the Community Center, have been an integral part in the lives of many Brookline families for over seventy years.

The current recreation building replaced an old farmhouse that had been in use since 1947. Prior to that, public recreation facilities in Brookline were provided exclusively at Moore Park, another first-class complex located on Pioneer Avenue. Brookliner's are fortunate to have two city parks located within the neighborhood.

Bird's-Eye View of Brookline Park - 2014

Brookline Memorial Park offers a variety of recreational facilities. The park contains a large multi-purpose ballfield, two lighted baseball fields, a T-Ball field, an outdoor batting cage, picnic pavilion, children's playground, outdoor basketball court and a DEK Hockey rink, along with plenty of open green space.

The Recreation Center houses an indoor basketball court, weight room, fitness center, and limited meeting space. There is something for all seasons. Ample parking is available.

Classic Car Cruise - August 2008

The Recreation Center was originally owned and operated by volunteer members of the Brookline Community Center Association. In 1966 the park was turned over to the city and long-time Moore Park Center Director Chuck Senft was assigned to manage the facility. Chuck's office moved from Moore Park to Brookline Park in 1971 upon completion of the new Recreation Center building.

The park has been the scene of many changes over the next three decades, but until the dawn of the new millennium, the one thing that remained a constant was Chuck Senft. His tenure as Recreation Director in Brookline spanned from 1958 until his retirement in 2003.

Chuck Senft
Boxing may have been Director Chuck Senft's cup of tea, but a good game of ping pong could quench his thirst.

Through Chuck's tireless efforts and dedication, the children of Brookline benefited from the many recreation programs under his supervision, most notably the Moore Park and Brookline Boxing Club, "Charlie's Angels". Formed in 1958, the Brookline boxers built a reputation as one of the premier boxing clubs in Western Pennsylvania with over fifty team championships.

There was also the Track Club, the Basketball Leagues and countless other recreational activities to keep the community's children off the streets. While under Chuck's supervision everyone knew that their kids were safe, and what more could a parent ask for?

Brookline Park DEK Hockey Rink - December 2013.

In August of 2003, the city closed the Recreation Center due to financial difficulties. Thanks to the Act 47 recovery plan, the building reopened in February of 2005 under the direction of a familiar face, Michelle "Mickey" Underwood.

As a Recreation Leader in Brookline for over twenty years, Mickey was busy behind the scenes with several programs of her own, like children's crafts and ceramics.

Summer Basketball Leagues - 2007

In 2000, Mickey moved on to become the Director at the Phillips Park Recreation Center in Carrick. From her return to Brookline in 2005 until a promotion to Area Supervisor in the Fall of 2014, her skills and leadership ensured that the Brookline Recreation Center continued to provide our neighborhood kids the same sort of safe, friendly atmosphere in which to grow and prosper.

THe Recreation Center is once again one of the main centers of activity in Brookline. Refurbished in the winter of 2001 and again in 2010, the building now sports a hardwood gym floor and a state-of-the-art Weight Lifting and Fitness Center, complete with a wide range of equipment. An HVAC system now provides temperature control.

Indoor Soccer - 2009

On November 1, 2014, Brookline welcomed a new Director, Jon Coyne, to the Recreation Center family. His term lasted until 2018. Since March 2019, Jarrod Herschk was been assigned to supervise the show. Jarrod, a world class DEK hockey player, has done a fantastic job carrying on the tradition of excellence that has been a trademark in Brookline for decades.




Below are links to some of the countless fond remembrances
that so many Brookliners have of their Community Center.

Community Center (1947-present)
Brookline Little League (1951-present)
Moore/Brookline Boxing (1958-2003)
Brookline Knights (1974-present)
Brookline Breeze (1982-present)
Brookline Hoops Leagues (2002-2014)
Citiparks Hoops Leagues (2006-2015)
Brookline Indoor Soccer (2007-2015)
Mickey's Car Cruises (2005-2013)
Pittsburgh Boxing Club (2005-2013)
2019 Citiparks Field Day Champions
2018 Return Of The Hippo
2018 A Special Tribute to Chuck
2015 PA Cleanways Project
2014 Brookline Bobcats
2014 Lunch With Santa
2014 November Aerial View
2014 Fall Basketball Clinic
2014 Penguins Youth Hockey Day
2014 Spring Basketball Clinic
2014 Little League Parade

2014 PA Cleanways Project
2013 Brookline Bobcats
2013 Building DEK Hockey Rink
2013 Little League Parade
2012 Brookline Bobcats
2012 Lunch With Santa
2012 Halloween Party
2012 Roving Art Cart
2012 Joe's Soccer Club
2012 Satellite Image of Park
2012 Open-Mic Night
2012 Spring Basketball Clinic
2012 Little League Parade
2012 PA Cleanways Project
2012 Early Spring
2012 Citiparks Champions
2011 Keystone Young Marines
2011 Brookline Bobcats
2011 Joe's Soccer Club
2011 Spring Basketball Clinic
2011 Little League Parade

The 2012 Brookline Recreation Center 14-Under
Basketball team - 2012 Citiparks Champions!
John Vo, Tyler Thornton, Taylor Thornton,
Martino Stein, Malik Petite, Jake Wilson,
Keynon Griffiths, Blake Arnold, Bailey
Travers, Tyler Quinten and Coach Milan.

2011 PA Cleanways Project
2011 Lunch With The Bunny
2010 Brookline Bobcats
2010 Fitness Center Dedication
2010 Mayhle Field Dedication
2010 Family Fun Fest
2010 Summer Basketball Camp
2010 Joe's Soccer Club
2010 Brookline School Fun Day
2010 Spring Basketball Clinic
2010 Karate Class
2010 PA Cleanways Project
2010 Breakfast With The Bunny
2010 The Big Blizzard
2009 Brookline Bobcats
2009 Girl's Camp
2009 Summer Basketball Camp
2009 Joe's Soccer Club
2009 Little League Parade
2009 PA Cleanways Project
2008 Breakfast With Santa
2008 Brookline Bobcats
2008 Fall Basketball Clinic

2008 Citiparks Flag Football
2008 Summer Basketball Camp
2008 Little League Parade
2008 PA Cleanways Project
2007 Citiparks Flag Football
2007 PA Cleanways Project
2006 Brookline Flag Football
2006 Unofficial And1 Classic
2006 JrNBA/WNBA Summer Camp
2006 PA Cleanways Project
2006 The Little Ninjas
2005 Brookline Flag Football
2005 Halloween Party
2005 Fall Basketball Clinic
2005 Spring Basketball Clinic
2005 Little League Parade
2005 PA Cleanways Project
2003 Satellite Image of Park
2001 Wall Of Fame
2000 Talent Show
2000 Little League Parade
2000 Men's Basketball League
2000 Easter Egg Hunt

Brookline's 2009 14-Under Flag Football Team
finished runner-up in the Citiparks Fall League.
Marco Shallo, Aaron Lagnese, Daniel McCaskey,
Jarrett Better, Cody Gestrich, Jesse Vates,
Ryan Mandarino and Coach Milan Tyler.

1999 Citiparks Flag Football
1999 Talent Show
1999 Men's Basketball League
1999 CitiParks Soccer Champs
1999 Little League Parade
1998 Halloween Party
1998 Citiparks Flag Football
1998 CitiParks Soccer Champs
1998 Soccer Camp
1998 Men's Basketball League
1997 Playground Dedication
1989 Men's Basketball All-Stars
1989 Parks 100th Anniversary
1988 Men's Basketball All-Stars
1987 Basketball Champions
1987 Men's Basketball All-Stars
1985 Hot Shot Champions
1982 Volleyball League
1982 Hot Shot Champ Gregg Gielas
1982 Hot Shot Contenders
1982 Gold Medalist Melissa McLane
1981 Building Brookline Park Pool
1981 Building Sam Bryen Fields
1980 Park Construction
1978 Those Were The Days

1978 Awards Banquet
1978 World Champ Donna Caterino
1977 Awards Banquet
1977 Old Basketball Courts
1977 Portable Swimming Pool
1976 Building McGibbeny Field
1976 Little League Parade
1975 Master Plan - Brookline Park
1973 Ice Skating Rink
1972 Kite Flyer Randy Aul
1971 Recreation Center Construction
1969 Recreation Center Groundbreaking
1966 City Purchases Park Property
1965 Community Center Parade
1964 Ice Skating Rink
1963 Community Center Day Camp
1962 Community Center Construction
1962 Proposed Community Center
1960 Ice Skating Rink
The Old Anderson Farm
Retired Director Chuck Senft
Brookline Soccer (1982-1998)
Junefests (1982-1986)
Arts and Crafts
The Brookline Track Club

Brookline's 1999 14-Under Citiparks Flag Football Champs.
Coach John Ladasky, Lewis Alkire, Justin Phillips, Steve
Barone, Brendan McCalla, Josh Gettings, Bruno DeSimone,
Jason Lancia and Center Director Chuck Senft.




Brookline Memorial Park - Fall 2008

Recreation Center Staff Photos:
2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006,
2005, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999.

Earth Day Cleanup - April 22, 2006

Cub Scouts - 2008.   Girl Scouts - 2008

Breakfast with the Bunny - March 2010

Christmas 2012   Kindersports - 2007.

Summer Hoop Clinic - 2007

Michelle Underwood face-painting - 1987.   Family Fun Fest.

2008 Summer Soccer Camp

A Pirate game in 2009 courtesy of
the Tickets For Kids Foundation   A Pirate game in 2010 courtesy of
the Tickets For Kids Foundation

Bicycle Safety Program - 2009

Brookline Breeze - August 9, 2014.    Crafts - 2008

Halloween Party - 2008

Chase and Curtis Johnson erected the
new sign at the park entrance in 2006.

Brookline Memorial Park has changed quite a bit since "The Anderson Farm" was first purchased back in the 1940's. Trace the steps that led to the formation of one of Pittsburgh's nicest neighborhood recreational facilities. "The Brookline Park Renaissance" will take you on a journey back in time. Enjoy the ride.

Brookline Park - May 2009

Citiparks Rules and Regulations.

<CitiParks Information> <> <Brookline History>

October 28, 2004 - Sign hanging near the playground at
 the Brookline Recreation Center. Drawn by Matthew Newman (14) - March 27, 2003