I understand we are to vote soon on whether we want a basketball court built in our neighborhood; specifically near tennis courts in North Shore Park. There are advantages to have recreational facilites together, but has anyone considered a 4th Street location. On 4th and about 12th Av there is a court which is part of a school of some sort. The School is an ugly green with a terrible remodel, cheesy landscaping and a chain link fence all around. Is this already open to the public? Does anyone know the background on this facility? What do you think about the City leasing court from school boarb for the price of sprucing up court, fencing and landscaping, and re-painting, etc. to make facility more attractive and improve 4th Street?

Basketball courts, school proper

At Nov membership meeting we'll vote on the city's specific proposal to build basketball courts in North Shore Park. Re school at 12th Av & 4th St: couldn't agree more that school facilities should be available for recreation, meetings, etc. School boards are traditionally very reluctant (presumably for insurance reasons) to permit such ''outside'' activity (tho they're OUR buildings!). Most people attending Vision 2020 agreed school buildings should be community centers and the idea is building steam, but will take a major effort to change school board outlook. Probably a CONA thing, as it will affect the whole county. Will keep you posted.
Eileen

Don't mess with Open Space

Having grown up in Old Northeast and now a resident again, I value our diminsihing open waterfront and would hate to see any more structures of any kind. Additionally, the facilities proposed will become a magnet for many more users than actually live in the area. Having JUST moved from a recently built community center with basketball court, I can tell you that the noise, traffic, and crime all jumped through the roof. We specifically moved for that reason. I do not believe that the North Shore area should have any more facilities built that block the water view, nor should we embrace the traffic, noise and crime that this facility will bring.

By anon

North Ward School on 4th St.

I called this school and was told the City's Parks Dept. fully explored the option of using the School's court and yard as a City Park and issued a report against City use because of the lack of parking, lack of open space, interfearance with school functions, etc. Does anyone know about this report? Even if not used as a Park, it would be great to persuade the school board to change out the chain link fence, improve landscaping, and paint school historical colors. Has anyone explored this?