The York Township Recreation Department has reversed their decision and the basketball program will continue as planned. I am grateful to everyone who lent their support to keeping this long-standing tradition alive for my father and the community. We will continue to monitor the program to ensure it remains a …
December 8, 2016
Final supporters
Dear York Friends,
My father Mike McPherson received news that
the York Township Recreation Department has decided to SHUT DOWN the basketball
pick-up program this year after my Dad took responsibility of leading it
since 1981.... LET ME REPEAT THAT, 1981! This 2016-2017 "season" would
mark 35 YEARS that the YT Recreation Department has provided the space for ages 18+ to ease their stress and display their competitive
spirit among peers on the court. Aside from the occasional, non-violent disagreement over a "call", everyone has a great time, jokes around and uses this space as a release or
temporary "safe haven" from their troubles and seasonal depressions.
This program is very much a part of my Dad's life, and he still enjoys playing and interacting with those who attend. As my dad ages, it brings forth his youthful spirit, all while the younger people look up to him regarding his skills, intellect, and consistency as a staple within the York basketball community for over 3 decades.
We've played at Ore Valley Elementary, York Tech and Dallastown Elementary's gym just to name a few spots over the years. As I am 30 years old, I literally grew up with this program, both watching and playing (as the only girl/woman most of the time). Basketball is a key ingredient of why my dad and I are so close - I frankly don't know many daddy/daughter duos like us! This is a powerful memory, a vivid piece of me and more importantly my father.
Over the years, the price of the Open Gym increased -- last year, everyone paid $4 to play, and Friday and Sunday nights were the most popular. The majority in attendance weren't from the actual Township, but they flocked from the city and various suburbs -- some would forage their cars for coins JUST so they could play that night because they saw the value in it
We need your help! This is SO much more than just an “Open Gym” for many people… you never know what trial or tribulation your neighbor is experiencing today, and I know that this opportunity successfully provided stressed players an outlet to channel negative feelings. This is definitely a worth cause for which to contend this decision -- adults need healthy places for acceptance and judgment-free zones that support a common mission. I'm ASKING FOR SUPPORT to hopefully alter this situation with even 1 or 2 days of Open Gym.
This has always been an athletic 'place of refuge' REGARDLESS of talent, color, creed, sexual orientation, or class! Players united together in the spirit of the game they all love. The solution is not to just terminate this opportunity for physical and mental stability, growth and/or decompression… there has to be a creative compromise that works for everyone! I really would love other ball players to express their disappointment with this decision through personal impact!
The York Township Recreation Basketball Open-Gym program transcends the bounds of the Township in its ability to unify the York Community holistically. With the news stories of violence in York this year alone, we must be proactive in our efforts towards bridging the divide and extending compassion towards all York residents through the successful maintenance of affordable adult sports. Collaboration is key -- schools/colleges, churches, businesses -- as WE ARE CALLED TO ACT AS BEACONS OF PEACE AND LIGHT TO BETTER THIS COMMUNITY (opposed to a single Township)!
Thank you!
Love,
~ Shannon McPherson
DISCLAIMER: This petition is not meant to publicly bash any one person or entity. #FreedomOfSpeech #FreedomOfAssembly
Updates
November 29, 2016
The momentum behind this effort reflects the community value of the basketball program. It is heartening to see so many people acknowledge the importance of this long-standing tradition.
Reached 100 supporters
November 29, 2016
22 Comments
Open gym. A place where we can come together with old friends or meet new ones. Haven't they closed enough programs yet???
In a society with so much negativity and detriment, why not allow the spirit of games to greatly impact those who seek comradery and pride within their community? Let them play.
It was a great thing and personally helped my organization, The York Mighty Ants semi professional team. We made a last minute request to utilize the facilities recreational night of basketball to prepare for a playoff basketball game. That we won! Please re open!! "Community service is the price we pay for the space we take up on earth"! This is a great cause.
I grew up playing in the township building it was always a fun place to get a good game in during the winter days. Kept me out of a lot of trouble as a kid.
As a 2005 Dallastown graduate and close friend with the McPherson family, I have watched this program shape many people into adulthood and create life-long binding friendships. If it's money they're worried about for renting the space, I believe there is so much interest that as a whole group, players would pay his/her fair share.
Last thing the city needs is more positivity taken from it.
Keep the basketball program
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The York Township Recreation Department has reversed their decision and the basketball program will continue as planned. I am grateful to everyone who lent their support to keeping this long-standing tradition alive for my father and the community. We will continue to monitor the program to ensure it remains a …
December 8, 2016
Final supporters
Dear York Friends,
My father Mike McPherson received news that
the York Township Recreation Department has decided to SHUT DOWN the basketball
pick-up program this year after my Dad took responsibility of leading it
since 1981.... LET ME REPEAT THAT, 1981! This 2016-2017 "season" would
mark 35 YEARS that the YT Recreation Department has provided the space for ages 18+ to ease their stress and display their competitive
spirit among peers on the court. Aside from the occasional, non-violent disagreement over a "call", everyone has a great time, jokes around and uses this space as a release or
temporary "safe haven" from their troubles and seasonal depressions.
This program is very much a part of my Dad's life, and he still enjoys playing and interacting with those who attend. As my dad ages, it brings forth his youthful spirit, all while the younger people look up to him regarding his skills, intellect, and consistency as a staple within the York basketball community for over 3 decades.
We've played at Ore Valley Elementary, York Tech and Dallastown Elementary's gym just to name a few spots over the years. As I am 30 years old, I literally grew up with this program, both watching and playing (as the only girl/woman most of the time). Basketball is a key ingredient of why my dad and I are so close - I frankly don't know many daddy/daughter duos like us! This is a powerful memory, a vivid piece of me and more importantly my father.
Over the years, the price of the Open Gym increased -- last year, everyone paid $4 to play, and Friday and Sunday nights were the most popular. The majority in attendance weren't from the actual Township, but they flocked from the city and various suburbs -- some would forage their cars for coins JUST so they could play that night because they saw the value in it
We need your help! This is SO much more than just an “Open Gym” for many people… you never know what trial or tribulation your neighbor is experiencing today, and I know that this opportunity successfully provided stressed players an outlet to channel negative feelings. This is definitely a worth cause for which to contend this decision -- adults need healthy places for acceptance and judgment-free zones that support a common mission. I'm ASKING FOR SUPPORT to hopefully alter this situation with even 1 or 2 days of Open Gym.
This has always been an athletic 'place of refuge' REGARDLESS of talent, color, creed, sexual orientation, or class! Players united together in the spirit of the game they all love. The solution is not to just terminate this opportunity for physical and mental stability, growth and/or decompression… there has to be a creative compromise that works for everyone! I really would love other ball players to express their disappointment with this decision through personal impact!
The York Township Recreation Basketball Open-Gym program transcends the bounds of the Township in its ability to unify the York Community holistically. With the news stories of violence in York this year alone, we must be proactive in our efforts towards bridging the divide and extending compassion towards all York residents through the successful maintenance of affordable adult sports. Collaboration is key -- schools/colleges, churches, businesses -- as WE ARE CALLED TO ACT AS BEACONS OF PEACE AND LIGHT TO BETTER THIS COMMUNITY (opposed to a single Township)!
Thank you!
Love,
~ Shannon McPherson
DISCLAIMER: This petition is not meant to publicly bash any one person or entity. #FreedomOfSpeech #FreedomOfAssembly
Updates
November 29, 2016
The momentum behind this effort reflects the community value of the basketball program. It is heartening to see so many people acknowledge the importance of this long-standing tradition.
Reached 100 supporters
November 29, 2016
22 Comments
As someone who lives and works in York, I see the need for a safe place for people to come to engage in positive physical activity and interaction, make friendships, and help process emotions in a healthy way so that people can make better choices. I hope the York Township Recreation Department will seriously consider finding a way to keep this important program that serves as a positive outlet for so many.
Open gym. A place where we can come together with old friends or meet new ones. Haven't they closed enough programs yet???
In a society with so much negativity and detriment, why not allow the spirit of games to greatly impact those who seek comradery and pride within their community? Let them play.
It was a great thing and personally helped my organization, The York Mighty Ants semi professional team. We made a last minute request to utilize the facilities recreational night of basketball to prepare for a playoff basketball game. That we won! Please re open!! "Community service is the price we pay for the space we take up on earth"! This is a great cause.
I grew up playing in the township building it was always a fun place to get a good game in during the winter days. Kept me out of a lot of trouble as a kid.
As a 2005 Dallastown graduate and close friend with the McPherson family, I have watched this program shape many people into adulthood and create life-long binding friendships. If it's money they're worried about for renting the space, I believe there is so much interest that as a whole group, players would pay his/her fair share.
Last thing the city needs is more positivity taken from it.
Keep the basketball program
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As someone who lives and works in York, I see the need for a safe place for people to come to engage in positive physical activity and interaction, make friendships, and help process emotions in a healthy way so that people can make better choices. I hope the York Township Recreation Department will seriously consider finding a way to keep this important program that serves as a positive outlet for so many.