Why are there no basketball courts in Oak Park?

[via chicago]

Most city neighborhoods/ suburbs removed their public hoops in the 80s/90s, due to the element they tended to attract.

[cdc3217]

Originally Posted by via chicago

Most city neighborhoods/ suburbs removed their public hoops in the 80s/90s, due to the element they tended to attract.

Yep. This pretty much happened in my neck of the woods too. THen the park district gets upset that these kids are hanging around on the playground equipment that is meant for younger kids. Ever action has a consequence.

A couple years ago a group of schoolage boys rang my doorbell and asked if they could use the hoop in our driveway, because there was nowhere else they could play (basketball).

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by cdc3217

Yep. This pretty much happened in my neck of the woods too. THen the park district gets upset that these kids are hanging around on the playground equipment that is meant for younger kids. Ever action has a consequence.

A couple years ago a group of schoolage boys rang my doorbell and asked if they could use the hoop in our driveway, because there was nowhere else they could play (basketball).

Yup, thats how it was when I was growing up. There used to be courts (which were then closed). So we used to just scour alleys until we found someone who had a net set up. We'd almost always ask and the owners were usually cool about letting us use it whenever we wanted. But most wouldnt leave them out, because you'd still get the negative element who would show and play "brawl ball" at all hours.

[Lookout Kid]

Honestly, I wouldn't want to live next to a park with a lot of basketball courts. Nor would I want to live next to a High School, Drive-In, or any other place that attracts a lot of teenagers to just "hang out". I know that towns need these places and was once a teenager myself who was looking for safe hangouts, but nearby teen hangouts would be a red flag for me if I were searching for a house--regardless of the race of the kids hanging out there.

[At1WithNature]

Originally Posted by cdc3217

Yep. This pretty much happened in my neck of the woods too. THen the park district gets upset that these kids are hanging around on the playground equipment that is meant for younger kids. Ever action has a consequence.

A couple years ago a group of schoolage boys rang my doorbell and asked if they could use the hoop in our driveway, because there was nowhere else they could play (basketball).

just curious, did you let the school kids play in your driveway? I wouldn't...not in this lawsuit happy nation of ours.

[Humboldt1]

I am in Humboldt Park and we have a program between blacks from southern Humboldt Park and Garfield Park, where they have organized basketball leagues for youth. I believe the father of the CPS boy who was shot on the bus last year is organizing it. They are partnering with the Lutheran Church on the block (it is free for those playing and organizing it) and it seems to be going okay. Sure, some of the boys walking in and out have a rough appearance but generally they have been respectful of me and have not been hanging out on the corner doing things they should not be doing. It was nice to see a group of quality young black men and boys getting together to play basketball and be respectful of those around them.

This program may or may not continue as the Lutheran Church has been sold to New Life Covenant, a mostly hispanic congregation. I suspect with new ownership the church will focus more on programs that attract hispanics.

There are a few basketball courts in Humboldt Park, the park, but I am not a fan of the crowd that hangs out around there.

[cdc3217]

Originally Posted by At1WithNature

just curious, did you let the school kids play in your driveway? I wouldn't...not in this lawsuit happy nation of ours.

I did but there were many stipulations including a call to their homes. Or maybe I just took names & numbers. But I got some info.