Closed Glen Rock basketball court and shooting site frustrate children

After a shooting at the Wilde Memorial Basketball Court in Glen Rock on May 21, many questions remain about the future of the park, including the basketball court.

Glen Rock Mayor Kristine Morieko said she is considering replacing the basketball court or restricting the park to Glen Rock residents.

However, the court is a vital asset to Glen Rock's youth, young residents say.

“If I didn’t have a Memorial basketball court, I wouldn’t play outside as much,” Will Permenter, 19, said. “The court is great because there are a lot of kids playing basketball, it’s always great for activity and bonding with other kids.”

Closing the court adds a new challenge to teenagers playing basketball in the city. Players have moved to primary school fields, making them less available.

Morieko said the removal of the Wilde Memorial field could result in an increased presence on school courts. She also believes that creating a new use for the court would be time-consuming and expensive.