The basketball hoops were once again taken down in Spring Park, and,
although you might feel for the teens that played there, you certainly
can’t say they weren’t warned.
The Richfield Springs village board voted to permanently remove the hoops because they were an ongoing problem.
Littering, vandalism and foul language were reportedly rampant at
the basketball courts, which are at the north end of Spring Park and
very close to two properties.
The hoops were previously removed for a few weeks to give warning to
the teens that their behavior could not continue if they wanted the
basketball hoops to stay.
It’s too bad some kids had to ruin it for everyone, but the village was right to protect the interests of the taxpayers.
Everyone wants a place for teens to be able to have fun, but respect needs to be shown to those around them.
While the village was right to have the hoops removed, hopefully it can find an alternative spot for the hoops.
Some people might argue that these kids have no where to go now, but
the basketball hoops at RSCS are available to the public, and there are
no homes nearby.
However, since it is school property, there is always a chance of
little kids being around, and hopefully, these adolescents can be
respectful of their age and keep their language and behavior in line.
While the administration at RSCS is happy to have their facilities
open to the public, a lack of respect for its rules, as was the case in
Spring Park, could lead to a similar situation.
This could be the last chance for the teens to keep a place to play basketball.
They got two chances from the village, so this would be their third opportunity.
So, kids, what’s it going to be – “third time’s a charm” or “three strikes and you’re out?”
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