More Hoops In Lakewood’s Future?

Two public basketball hoops have returned to Lakewood, and last Wednesday’s ‘Courtside Meeting’ held by the LOBC (Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee) showed signs of more to come. Many showed up to discuss the topic of free outdoor physical activities in Lakewood including Mayor Michael Summers, Councilman Tom Bullock, School Board’s President and Member Matt Markling and Ed Favre, and other key community leaders. Most importantly, the beneficiaries (Lakewood’s youth) were represented by an average weeknight’s attendance of about thirty ball players at the two Kauffman Park hoops.

The LOBC hosted the forum to notify the frequent hoopsters of upcoming events including a possible 3-on-3 tournament.  Also on the agenda was a well-spoken message from the mayor reminding the youth that the future success of hoops in Lakewood is in their hands.  The Kauffman Park hoops were a pilot project started last fall that has attracted at least twenty kids every non-freezing night since they were installed. In over seven months, there have only been two complaints reported and both were related to noise/swearing. Though the current location (adjacent to multiple residential backyards) was not the LOBC’s first choice, it was the site chosen by Lakewood’s former administration to prove Lakewood is ready for more hoops. LOBC is looking to Lakewood Park as its next location.

“In an age when our residents are battling childhood obesity, returning hoops to our parks is simply low-hanging fruit in an effort to get our children physically active again,” said Stephanie Toole, mother of seven and co-founder of the LOBC. Another Lakewood resident, Zlatko Coralic, added, “It’s a beautiful sight to see over twenty kids sharing these two hoops in harmonious fashion. It’s amazing to me that anyone could ever oppose such a positive city amenity.”

For more information, please visit lobc.org or email committee@lobc.org.