Closing of Basketball Court Has HOA Residents on Different Sides

Summer is usually a time for outdoor fun, but the closing of a basketball court in one Georgia neighborhood is sparking some debate among residents. One side supports its closure, while the other does not.

Closing of Basketball Court Due to Crime

Amenities are a big perk of living in a homeowners association. Residents can enjoy these amenities almost whenever they want, though they are usually only open to community members.

For one Columbia County HOA, though, a particular amenity is causing some problems — the basketball court. Basketball courts are a popular spot at this time of the year. However, Crawford Creek Homeowners Association has been encountering trespassers as of late. Thus, the HOA has made the decision to close down the court.

Crawford Creek residents love the community because it’s quiet and peaceful.

“I enjoy it here. My neighbors are nice, we’re all friendly,” resident Tenita Pullens told local news.

That peace doesn’t last long, though, when the basketball court is open as it invites crime.

“The locks on the gates have been broken. Multiple times,” one anonymous resident shared. “If they can’t get in the gate because they don’t know the code, they untie the bottom of the fence and crawl under it.”

The resident explained that trespassers vandalized the court and even smoked marijuana on the premises. This led to the HOA’s decision to close down the court.

Two Moms Against the Closure

For two moms in the neighborhood, though, closing the basketball court isn’t a good idea. Some neighbors and kids didn’t expect the HOA to shut down the court, especially since it was a selling point when they first moved in.

“We received no notice stating that the basketball court would be shut down,” resident Linette Cowart said. To Pullens, the removal of the court is “very upsetting” because it’s something that could help develop their kids’ skills.

While the HOA maintains that the court invites crime, the sheriff’s office has no record of criminal activity there. Because of this, some residents believe that the complaint isn’t about crime but the people using the court.

Both sides of the dispute wish to reach a compromise but have yet to make an agreement.