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After a shooting at the Wilde Memorial basketball court in Glen Rock on May 21, many questions remain regarding the future of the park, especially the basketball court.
Glen Rock mayor Kristine Morieko said she has considered replacing the basketball court or restricting the park to Glen Rock residents.
However, the court is a vital asset to the youth of Glen Rock, young residents say.
“If I did not have a Memorial basketball court I would not be playing outside as much,” said Will Permenter, 19. “The court is great because there are a lot of kids that play basketball, always great for activity and making connections with other kids.”
The closure of the court adds a new challenge to teens who play basketball in town. Players have moved to the elementary school courts, making them less available.
Morieko said removing the court at Wilde Memorial may result in increased presence on the school courts. She also believes creating a new use for the court would be time-consuming and costly.
Police responded to the shooting at the park at about 7:34 p.m. May 21, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said in a press release. The victim, a 23-year-old male from Paterson, sustained a single gunshot wound and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital and released.
The shooting occurred during a basketball tournament that Glen Rock officials did not know about prior to the incident.
Putting restrictions on who can use court
Another solution is putting restrictions on who can use the basketball court. “We have heard from numerous towns with rec programs that they create a badge system, similar to tennis and pickleball,” said Morieko.
More: Glen Rock residents critical of response after shooting at basketball court
Doing so would allow kids to play when the court is reserved, and the general public would need to apply for a permit to play.
The park has undergone many improvements in the past two to three years, funded in part by the New Jersey Green Acres program. Green Acres was created in 1961 to protect and provide open space in New Jersey.
Because the park has been heavily funded through Green Acres, it must remain open to all members of the public under the conditions of the program. Morieko has said she is unsure how restricting the park to Glen Rock residents will impact future funding. “According to Green Acres, we could repurpose the court for another use,” said Morieko.
Cameras were offered to the town for permanent installation at the park, and there is an increased police presence, Morieko said. She says once a clear path is established on what to do with the court, it will be added to a work session agenda where discussions about the park will take place.
Morieko said the court will remain closed until after the Fun Fair, which runs from June 12 to June 15. So for now, basketball courts in town will remain crowded.
“A bunch of kids want to play, but there is not enough space to play basketball because of the closure,” said resident Hugh Rae, 20.