LETTER: Time to get the ball rolling

Niagara Gazette

August 05, 2008 06:28 pm

— Once again, our kids are forced to bring out the curbside basketball hoops because no one wants a basketball court in their backyard. The city built a brand new park on Lockport Street and North Avenue and the design called for either a basketball court or volleyball court, but neither one of them went up. Look at all the neighborhoods that have abandoned buildings or even empty lots. Why doesn’t the city pave one of those areas so at east the kids can put up one of their portable hoops and people driving their cars won’t have to dodge them.
Should we just ask the casino to build one for the kids? It seems like every time we need something done, it is voted down, but the Senecas get it done without any fighting with each other. Our city numbers are dropping due to the fact there are not that many jobs for the young, and they are moving away to find a better place to work. When our parents were working, they could quit one good paying job and get anther one two hours later, but those days are gone. All it is $10 through $15 an-hour-jobs left behind with al the factories gone. Drive up Buffalo Avenue and Niagara Falls Boulevard and all you see are empty fields that housed good jobs.
Like Councilman Charles Walker said: “We have one of the best school districts for high school basketball, and all those players started on one of these courts, but the way we going, that may not happen again because no one wants a basketball court in their back yard.”
Let’s try and find somewhere for at least one good court in this city. I have traveled to Tonawanda for my son’s baseball game and at their park was a basketball court with a skateboard park and tennis courts, playground area, hockey playing surface and a soccer field all in the same area with lights and plenty of parking and bleachers for the parents to watch their kids. The police came around every hour to ensure the police presence. What is wrong with Hyde Park? They already have some of these things up and running, and it is centrally located so everyone could enjoy it.
Johnny C. Parks is a Niagara Falls resident.