New York takes historic step to block playgrounds

Overall, New York respects containment quite well. Times Square is deserted and the usually teeming streets of the Big Apple have been left behind to make room for the bare minimum in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. But it seems a lot harder to get people to stop playing basketball …

Mayor Bill de Biasio spoke on Wednesday about the too many matches still being held on New York City playgrounds, as social distancing bans sports gatherings. The Democrat thus announced that he would have the baskets withdrawn from 80 sites in the city where the police found that parties continued to stand.

“The parks department and police made sure people understood what social distancing was. Out of 80 of the city’s lots, they did not see the expected behavior. There are 1,700 courts of basketball in New York. So that means there are over 1,600 left that we can leave untouched if people follow the rules. If we have to remove all the baskets, we will, even if not not what I wish “, De Biasio explained to the press.

New York City to remove hoops from 80 basketball courts pic.twitter.com/nuUFOfIMGf

– Thomas Urbain (@ ThomasUrbain1) March 26, 2020

We obviously understand that it is difficult to give up pick up games and even the simple pleasure of a shoot session with two or three friends. But even in the basketball mecca, you have to know reason, keep it and think about the priority.

To realize the incredible life and culture on New York playgrounds, we recommend “Doin’it in the Park”, the documentary by Bobbito Garcia and Kévin Couliau, present in the list of 15 basketball documentaries to watch during confinement.

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