Munsey Park Village Board Shoots For Basketball Goal Ban

MUNSEY PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Many basketball goals could soon be benched in the Long Island village of Munsey Park.

As CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported Thursday, the village board of trustees will consider a ban next month on temporary goals being rolled out near curbs or permanent goals from being erected on government right-of-ways -- the land within six feet of curbs.

Munsey Park Village trustee Patrick Hance said the ban is necessary for "safety and aesthetics."

The village said it has received complaints from some residents who don't want their streets lined with basketball hoops, saying they are aesthetically unappealing.

"I think they all should be in the backyard," said Stuart Cozzens, a Munsey Park homeowner.

Some parents believe playing in parks, playgrounds or driveways is the best solution.

"Pulling a basketball hoop out for a court for temporary use in the street would be even more dangerous because (drivers) wouldn't know it was there," said Nathy Yakaitis, a Munsey Park mother.

But the geography of Munsey Park, next to Manhasset, is very hilly. And some residents with sloping driveways said they resent not being able to put a hoop on their own lawns near the curb.

"Legislators shouldn't be telling us where we play our sports," said Bridget Lavin, 17.

"I don't think of it as a litter to the landscape," added Munsey Park resident Jillian Master. "I don't think of it as a problem. I think the kids should be able to play basketball if they want to."

"In the street, playing basketball ... that's perfectly normal," one teenage boy told McLogan. "That's what growing up in a small town allows you to do. And banning that is just silly."

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