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The Fred Johnson Park Association (FJPA) was incorporated in 1981 as a not-for-profit corporation.

We sponsor various tennis activities for people of all ages at Fred Johnson Park as well as special on-going programs including Mentoring, Tutoring and Internship programs for youth.

In 1971, this park was named in honor of Fred Johnson, who died in 1963. Fred Johnson continues to be acclaimed as one of our most distinguished and respected professional tennis instructors. Many agree that his continental style of playing left an indelible mark on "Black tennis".

Fred Johnson was an early instructor of Ms. Althea Gibson, who went on to win both the Wimbleton and the U.S. Women's Singles Championships in 1957 and 1958. Bill Davis, 5-time ATA Men's Singles Champion, remains enthusiastic in his praise of Fred Johnson as an early and effective coach.

Fred Johnson won further renown as the teaching pro at the prestigious and exclusive Cosmopolitan Tennis Club, formerly located at 149th Street and Convent Avenue in Harlem. But, in addition to his acknowledged tennis skills and his widely recognized teaching ability, he was a profile of courage. His loss of an arm never became a detriment or handicap to his teaching activities.

Quite to the contrary, this loss represented a challenge which he met with determination and confidence. We can best honor his name and memory by the spirit of comraderie and friendship which mark our common use of this beautiful park.