Written by Maurice Durham Jr, Upstream Care for Place Fellow

When I was 10, my family moved to the suburbs after my dad was sent to prison for 10+ years. To deal with the stress and pain I was going through, I went to the neighborhood outdoor basketball court. It was the nicest court I’ve seen, it looked like it was plucked right out of an indoor gym but with smooth green concrete and crisp white painted lines. The bright green trees swaying with the wind and making calming white noise. It even had a fence outlining the perimeter to make sure your ball didn’t roll down the hill. Another amazing part about the court was how clean it was for being outside.

It was a true sanctuary where I got to sharpen my skills and make priceless memories for the next 10 years. Going back now I see the respect for the court sink and the care for cleanliness disappear. I try to do my part by picking up trash and reminding the kids that if the court doesn’t get the respect and care it deserves one day it might be gone.

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