By Fran Maye

Kennett Square council last week agreed to draft a letter to the Kennett Area Parks Authority demanding an explanation as to why KAPA rejected a proposal to install a basketball court at the Anson B. Nixon Park.

Some councilors discussed the possibility of pulling all funding for KAPA if they do not reverse their decision.

“We have an all-white board on KAPA and they made a decision that we couldn’t have basketball courts in our own back yard,” said Charla Watson of Kennett Square, a proponent of courts at the park. “This is not the mentality we want to put forth in Kennett.”

The controversy was ignited after Pam Carter, who heads up KAPA, told the Kennett Paper that a basketball park at Anson B. Nixon “wasn’t appropriate” and “would create a different environment” and “would require a different level of management and risk.”

“I talked to people (about the statements) and they were highly offended,” said Councilor John Thomas. “And not all of them were minorities. This doesn’t look good for Kennett Square.”

“I hope this can be reversed,” said Leslie Whiteside of Kennett Square, a former Kennett Consolidated school director. “There is no more maintenance to run a basketball court than there is to run a volleyball court or a tennis court.”

David Miller, council president, told council the only control Kennett officials have over KAPA is to withhold funding. Every councilor, including Mayor Leon Spencer, affirmed their support of a basketball court at Anson B. Nixon Park last week.

“I think we should have basketball,” said Councilor William Carozzo. “The Hispanics, the Italians, the African Americans – whatever – should have the right to play basketball at that park.”

Said Councilor Jeff Darman: “I’d like to hear (KAPA’s) thinking behind this. But let’s not pit color against sport.”

Spencer said he can’t understand why basketball courts can’t be installed at the park. “When we’re dealing with children, walking from Linden Street to South Street isn’t an option,” he said. “To walk from Linden Street to the park is an option.:

Spencer said the letter must be strongly worded and must include provisions for safety.

“As controls were considered for skateboarding, we need simply to put those same kinds of controls on the basketball court that will ensure it will be a safe place to be,” Spencer said.

Ed Zunino, Kennett Square police chief, said the park is patrolled frequently and sees no problem with safety at a basketball court. He said he is more concerned with skateboarders using the public parking garage at State and Union streets.

Watson said a basketball court would give children a chance to get exercise. “We have a 5K, a 10K, a 25K and who knows whatever K,” she said. “And who does that serve? Most of those people are not from Kennett Square borough. That land is supported by taxpayers and it is supposed to benefit taxpayers. What harm is it for a child to take a ball and play at the park. It s an inexpensive sport.”

Miller reminded council that the issue is very important. “We can’t ignore this problem,” said Thomas. To which Spencer replied: “How can I ignore it? I’m as black as the people in this room. We need to be able to talk about how to solve this problem.”