About 20 residents from the Oakwood Landing North subdivision on Maple Avenue attended a meeting of the Park District board Monday night and asked the board to either remove the outdoor basketball court at nearby Community Park or move it deeper into the park.
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The residents complained about large groups of teenagers who are not playing basketball hanging out around the court on Maple Avenue just west of Church Street. The residents said the teens drink alcohol, smoke marijuana, swear and urinate on lawns.
The residents also said the basketball games make too much noise and the teens’ cars were a traffic hazard.
Christine Trippi said the problem has gotten so bad that she has joined at least three other residents in placing their homes up for sale. She said she has had no takers because of the proximity of the court to her house.
Trippi said she has a petition signed by 90 residents asking that the court be removed.
Board President James Lewis said he would like to speak with the basketball players to make them aware of the complaints to see if they could police themselves before the district removes the nets.
Police Chief Gary F. Altergott encouraged residents to call police if they see any illegal activity in the park and get the license plate numbers of violators.
Lewis said the board may put in earthen berms and trees to help absorb the noise.