Tennis enthusiast, Toni Connor, was 100 years old when she died, surrounded by her family, on July 12, 2021 in her Indianapolis home on North Delaware St.

Toni lived from childhood through age 26 on Napoleon Street, just south of Garfield Park. During these formative years, Toni learned the game of tennis on the park’s courts beginning at age 5.

When she married and moved to the north side, she remained attached to the park—loving tennis and even celebrating her 90th birthday with a big family picnic in Garfield Park.

Toni’s love for the game of tennis and dedication to Garfield Park continued on after her passing with generous donations from her loved ones. Through these memorial gifts, the Friends are honored to announce the expansion of youth tennis in Garfield Park.

Summer tennis programs for youth ages 5-18 are already underway in Garfield Park. Together with NJTL and Indy Parks, the Friends commit to expand tennis programming into the fall for the next five years in memory of Toni.

“We’re honored to celebrate Toni Connor’s legacy in such a meaningful way,” said Libby Hiple, Executive Director of the Friends of Garfield Park. “She was a true champion for this park and this sport. Her story will continue to inspire and open doors for young players for years to come.”

Thanks to Toni, scholarship opportunities are available to ensure cost is no barrier for interested families of players wanting to play tennis. The fall tennis program begins August 10 – registration opens June 26.

To learn more or sign up, visit indynjtl.org. For scholarship inquiries, families may contact NJTL of Indianapolis Operations Manager Tyler
Scanlan at 317-429-9965.

If you are interested in establishing a memorial fund for your loved one, please contact Libby Hiple. Thank you to all of Toni’s friends and relatives for making this program possible.

Read the full press release here.