Battle Over Outdoor Hoops Continues

Back in the 1980s, Hollywood introduced a new line into the American sports consciousness. “If you build it, they will come,” became the signature line for “Field of Dreams,” Kevin Costner’s cinematic tribute to baseball. During the past decade, Lakewood basketball fans have learned a harsh new slogan. “If you want it built, you must DEMAND it.” Despite the sport’s booming popularity, basketball hoops were purged from the city during the 2000s. A few have been built in the past few years….but City Hall has recently closed some of those.     

Basketball has a long, deep history in Lakewood. Many of us played the game as kids, when outdoor hoops were located throughout the city at public parks and schools. I have many memories of playing at Madison Park as a child, and I continued to play into my adult years. When I bought my Olive Avenue home in 1997, I liked the fact that Hayes Elementary had some hoops just a few doors away.

By 2007, outdoor basketball disappeared in Lakewood. City Hall removed hoops from parks such as Madison Park. During that decade, the school district launched the first phase of citywide school reconstruction. Local schools throughout town were razed and rebuilt, their basketball courts were removed during the process. My neighborhood, for example, lost its hoops at Hayes.

Public pressure has helped to return some hoops to Lakewood in recent years. These efforts were possible because of the Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee (LOBC). Two half courts were installed at Kauffman Park, followed by two more at Lakewood Park. After going numerous summers without any hoops, Lakewood had four half-courts to serve its 50,000 residents. However, on May 21 of this year, Mayor Summers closed the two courts at Kauffman Park, citing a public safety concern. A small set of noisy neighbors that has lobbied to have the courts closed has effectively gotten its wish. Lakewood is now down to two half courts for 50,000 people.

City Hall is building a new court at Wagar Park, but that is should not be a substitute for the two courts at Kauffman. The Kauffman courts are centrally located and offer a great place for younger kids. The administration needs to re-open the Kauffman courts as soon as possible.

The battle over outdoor basketball is ongoing, and efforts to maintain and increase the number of courts depend upon the involvement of citizens. If you want basketball, you must get involved. Anti-basketball residents – and there are quite a few – are not shy about voicing their contempt for outdoor courts. If supporters remain silent, we could return to the days of no outdoor hoops at all.

If you support outdoor hoops, here are some actions you can take:

*Contact the Mayor’s office and City Council. Their email addresses are at the city website www.onelakewood.com.

*Get involved with LOBC. You can learn about the group at its website www.lobc.org.

*Join LOBC at this year’s Fourth of July Parade. It will be marching in support of outdoor hoops…go to the LOBC website for more info.

There is plenty of good news for outdoor basketball supporters. Despite the current issues with Kauffman, Mayor Summers and council have been supportive of basketball in the past. In addition, Sam O’Leary and Cindy Marx, two new council members, have written a letter endorsing efforts to improve outdoor basketball opportunities. Also, the Phase III reconstruction of Lakewood High School will open up the North Lot, which has been used to house classroom trailers for the past decade. The school district intends to dedicate at least part of the North Lot to recreational use. This location would be ideal for more hoops.

Public support for outdoor basketball is strong, but it needs to be put into action. Unlike the movies, there is no magic voice in the cornfield telling city officials to build new courts. The only voice that they hear is that of residents…people like you. If you want it, you must demand it.