Pros and cons of sports on the road

Re Don’t just allow sports gear on roads, make it

mandatory, June 15 Columnist Edward Keenan has pointed the way to peace in Lawrence Park. Proponents of sidewalks and defenders of the tree canopy in the neighbourhood can now come together around a system of local streets that feature pathways, playgrounds and sports facilities in the middle of the road.

Drivers will need to carefully squeeze by on the narrow shoulders where city officials wanted to build sidewalks. The beautiful trees can continue undisturbed, providing shade and soaking up carbon. Let’s hope the Star gets action on this one. As a kid I spent many a day with friends on the road often hearing the yell “car” and scampering to move the hockey nets. I don’t ever remember there being a problem. Besides, these “road” sports might also tear kids away from their computers and video games and provide some much needed exercise! A sensible idea to slow down traffic. Another reason for his proposal, not mentioned in the fine article, is the fact that speed bumps (one method the city seems to prefer) do not work. I live on a short street with two speed bumps and they just don’t slow anybody down. Edward Keenan has not considered the tenants and owners of the properties close to the nets he wants installed.

A basketball net was erected directly across the street from our semi several summers ago. Imagine 15 or 20 teens playing all day. The noise starts shortly before 10 a.m. and stops at darkness.

Missed passes land on your lawn, in the driveway or your hedge or flowers, followed by two chasers of the ball. Friends gather to watch the action from your lawn, leaving their garbage. The police’s attitude was, “Let them play on the road and they will not get into trouble.”

In desperation I started parking my car on the road in front of my house from 7 a.m. until dark. They moved the game.