Richmond+Green+Streetball+Court

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 * Documentation

My intent for this project study was to investigate the general absence of true streetball culture in the city of Toronto, more specifically the lack of public street basketball courts in the suburban areas surrounding Toronto. As the culture of street basketball is only able to grow and flourish where a suitable environment is available for the players, I intend to celebrate and give exposure to the few true streetball courts which exist in the suburban areas surrounding Toronto. Please note that I did not count basketball hoops in the back of public schools, or in small neighbourhoods; these places are almost always half court (1 net, not 2 opposing ones) and are too hidden to really attract anyone more than the neighbouring players.
 * Research Statement**

After doing some research on the suburbs of Toronto, it became apparent that there are very few, that being less than 10, streetball courts available to the public in the combined communities of Markham, Richmond Hill and Thornhill, where I conducted my investigation. The most well equipped courts in the communities were the ones belonging to Buttonville Public School, one of the few exceptions to the public school rule (probably because Buttonville is one of the oldest schools in York Region); the caged court outside the Milliken Mills Community Centre, which was visually the most interesting but was already quite well known, and the streetball court at Richmond Green, a hidden gem that I felt deserved more attention that it has gotten thus far.
 * Background**

The Richmond Green Streetball Court is regarded as one of the nicer outside courts in the community, although this is mostly attributed to the Richmond Green area, and not the court itself. However, later in my investigation I do find that there are components of the physical dimensions of the court that are quite unique and has the ability to dictate the playing style of the participants.

- The larger area that contains the actual basketball court, Richmond Green, is very nice. It is also very quiet - The court is almost hidden from the rest of the park; if I'm not mistaken, it is at one of the farthest points away from the main entrance - The court is hidden by bushes and trees from the rest of the park; the sidewalk forks suddenly and almost seems like a hidden entrance - The whole court is surrounded by greenery, which gives it a nice atmosphere, but may not be ideal for exposure
 * Observations/Analysis**

There are tables and benches in the grass area surrounding the court, which gives the area a very intimate feeling, unlike the caged courts at Milliken Mills, which is right beside the road and parking lot, and very open to everyone passing by. While both courts are surrounded by structures that partially obstruct the view from outside, the Green court feels very warm and secluded, which is quite rare; the cage, however, is almost intimidating in its presence, as the structure encloses the players in such a way that it almost invites spectators to look inside.

There is a table/bench that is almost on the court One net has a mesh and one doesn't; someone said that it was stolen (as usual) The supports are curved, which is good since straight ones are easier to run into on a fast break The lines seem recently painted, basically all intact The court is short and wide; games played here would be fast paced There isn't much people in the area; kids from the nearby high school do go the court to play at lunch The atmosphere is largely quiet, not much activity aside from lunch time

I think there is definitely room for improvement in both the physical and social aspects of the court at Richmond Green; the main issue with the court is its isolation from the rest of the area, although one can debate that it is actually a feature or an asset. The distortion of the court's dimensions can also be an issue, although not much can be done to adjust it. Personally, I think the court is fine with its perceived deficiencies, for it gives the court an uniqueness that is solemn replicated elsewhere.
 * Critical Position**

Perhaps more lighting can be introduced onto the court for better vision later in the day, and also at night.
 * Opportunities**

[|Richmond Green Web Page] [|Courts of the World]
 * Links**

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 * Final Panorama