Sir: In regard to “Roadside basketball nets hazardous, says Public Works” in the Nov. 14 Chatham Voice, I have to agree with the city that the basketball nets and hockey nets on or close to city streets are hazardous.
Ms. Reeb states that the basketball net is on her grass, but does she realize that she does not own the road? In some areas of Chatham, up to half of the front lawns are actually on road allowance.
With the net on the lawn, where do the kids play? On the street.
This brings up the real problem. Where can the kids go to play? Schoolyards are out, parks won’t allow them in the ball diamonds. Playgrounds in parks are becoming rare. So where?
I have in the past sent letters to councillors with the idea of a bylaw setting aside one lot per new build area as a park/play area. So for now we tell the kids to go play in the street and hope they will be safe!
Bruce Thompson
Chatham
