It has been brought to our attention that a request has been made to Leduc City Council by a member of the Windrose neighborhood to have the basketball courts located in the Doris Smith Park removed. After temporary removal last winter and support from many residents of the neighborhood, the Council meeting of January 20, 2020 decided to reinstall the basketball hoops, which showed their commitment to caring about maintaining opportunities for recreation within our neighborhood for residents of all ages.

The basketball courts are widely used by children, youth, youth groups, single parent families, dual parent families, and multi-generational families. It is so important to see grandparents, parents, and youth enjoying not only health benefits but also the benefits of connection with family and friends in a safe, outdoor location. These courts are also used for other activities, including but not limited to: young children learning to ride bikes, a hard surface workout area, scooter and skateboard practice, and meeting space for youth groups. This area of the park is widely used by all members of the community for pursuits of physical activity and the park promotes healthy lifestyles, healthy relationships, and healthy communities.

The other basketball courts located on the West side of Leduc are not easily accessible to children and youth from the neighborhood. The courts at both Ecole Leduc Estates School and in the Blackstone neighborhood are both about 1km away and not within the neighborhood, the hoops at Westhaven school are 2km away and require crossing Grant Macewan Blvd, and the hoops at Harry Bienert Park in Bridgeport are 3km away and require crossing Highway 39. Many families have chosen to live near Doris Smith Park so they can feel comfortable with their children going independently to play at the neighborhood park, and as children become youth it is important for them to have access to activities to participate in close to home, such as basketball. Removing the courts from Doris Smith Park would remove a piece of infrastructure that is vital to the physical and mental health of our young residents.

This latest request to have the courts removed or relocated has come at a time when physical and mental health should be a priority for all of our residents. Removing or relocating the courts would also create a huge financial cost for the city.

Please help us to keep the Windrose Basketball Courts in place in the Doris Smith Park for all residents to use and enjoy by signing this petition to show your support.