About 13 years ago the county removed all the basketball hoops in a 1.5 mile radius from my home, leaving behind empty blacktop courts at:
Loch Raven Heights park
Loch Raven Rec
Loch Raven Academy
Pleasant Plains Elementary
Putty Hill Park
Oakleigh Elementary
White Oak School
Parkville High School
And just a few weeks ago, the hoops at Loch Raven High were also removed.
Three weeks ago hoops were put up at White Oak School. Everyday since there were boys there playing and tonight when I went to drop my son off to play, they had been once again been removed.
I have sent emails to the Rec & Parks Dept over the years, and it wasn't until 7/2013 that I received a phone call from an administrator with Rec & Parks, promising that hoops would be installed at Loch Raven Rec, but that was 2 years ago and still none.
I understand that many don't like the thought of groups of teens or young men playing in their neighborhoods, but the fact is basketball or recreational sports does not breed crime, boredom and excess energy does.
Complaints of late night noise can be fixed by adding locked gates at night and if the trash is a problem, keep the gates locked until it isn't.
This petition is asking Baltimore County Recreation & Parks, Baltimore County Government and Baltimore County Public Schools to return the basketball hoops to all the courts that they were removed from by their offices: Loch Raven Heights park, Loch Raven Rec, Loch Raven Academy, Pleasant Plains Elementary, Putty Hill Park, Oakleigh Elementary, White Oak School, Parkville High School and Loch Raven High School.
Our youth need a place to exercise, release energy and learn to work together without having to pay a membership fee.
This small investment will reap big rewards for our youth, who are our community.
www.facebook.com/Hoops4lochraven.parkville
Updates
July 24, 2015
I have been reading through the comments you all left and the stories about how much these courts mean to our neighborhood are truly moving. Your experiences keep this momentum going even when the situation feels stagnant. It is incredible to see how many people care about giving our kids a place to play.
July 24, 2015
I truly never imagined that so many neighbors would feel this same frustration. This level of support belongs entirely to you because I am just the person who finally decided to write it down. It is humbling to see the momentum we have built together.
18 Comments
Kids need this space. I agree that locks should go on when the kids should be at home at night. Give it a shot. These kids were not the ones causing problems.
I think that you should bring hoops back so kids don't bug other people to play on their hoop and then brake it instead of that kids can just go to the park and play on the hoop.
Please bring back public sports opportunities to our neighborhoods!! Kids need to play and release energy! #bringbackthehoops Polly Houck
I understand that putting the courts back up can lead to some additional concerns for our neighborhood, but I think we can come up with some solutions to help control that. Etc. Maybe we can lock the gates after certain hours.
If you want to keep teenagers away from mischief, provide them with outlets. Everyone can't afford a gym membership!
Bring the hoops back!
I am in favor of returning the basketball rims to Parkville.
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About 13 years ago the county removed all the basketball hoops in a 1.5 mile radius from my home, leaving behind empty blacktop courts at:
Loch Raven Heights park
Loch Raven Rec
Loch Raven Academy
Pleasant Plains Elementary
Putty Hill Park
Oakleigh Elementary
White Oak School
Parkville High School
And just a few weeks ago, the hoops at Loch Raven High were also removed.
Three weeks ago hoops were put up at White Oak School. Everyday since there were boys there playing and tonight when I went to drop my son off to play, they had been once again been removed.
I have sent emails to the Rec & Parks Dept over the years, and it wasn't until 7/2013 that I received a phone call from an administrator with Rec & Parks, promising that hoops would be installed at Loch Raven Rec, but that was 2 years ago and still none.
I understand that many don't like the thought of groups of teens or young men playing in their neighborhoods, but the fact is basketball or recreational sports does not breed crime, boredom and excess energy does.
Complaints of late night noise can be fixed by adding locked gates at night and if the trash is a problem, keep the gates locked until it isn't.
This petition is asking Baltimore County Recreation & Parks, Baltimore County Government and Baltimore County Public Schools to return the basketball hoops to all the courts that they were removed from by their offices: Loch Raven Heights park, Loch Raven Rec, Loch Raven Academy, Pleasant Plains Elementary, Putty Hill Park, Oakleigh Elementary, White Oak School, Parkville High School and Loch Raven High School.
Our youth need a place to exercise, release energy and learn to work together without having to pay a membership fee.
This small investment will reap big rewards for our youth, who are our community.
www.facebook.com/Hoops4lochraven.parkville
Updates
July 24, 2015
I have been reading through the comments you all left and the stories about how much these courts mean to our neighborhood are truly moving. Your experiences keep this momentum going even when the situation feels stagnant. It is incredible to see how many people care about giving our kids a place to play.
July 24, 2015
I truly never imagined that so many neighbors would feel this same frustration. This level of support belongs entirely to you because I am just the person who finally decided to write it down. It is humbling to see the momentum we have built together.
18 Comments
Kids need a place to play. If we can have a football field, a baseball field, and a tennis court with nets, why not basketball nets.
Kids need this space. I agree that locks should go on when the kids should be at home at night. Give it a shot. These kids were not the ones causing problems.
I think that you should bring hoops back so kids don't bug other people to play on their hoop and then brake it instead of that kids can just go to the park and play on the hoop.
Please bring back public sports opportunities to our neighborhoods!! Kids need to play and release energy! #bringbackthehoops Polly Houck
I understand that putting the courts back up can lead to some additional concerns for our neighborhood, but I think we can come up with some solutions to help control that. Etc. Maybe we can lock the gates after certain hours.
If you want to keep teenagers away from mischief, provide them with outlets. Everyone can't afford a gym membership!
Bring the hoops back!
I am in favor of returning the basketball rims to Parkville.
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Kids need a place to play. If we can have a football field, a baseball field, and a tennis court with nets, why not basketball nets.