SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – 65 degrees, sunny, no wind, a perfect day to hit the park and play some basketball. However, not until recently have hoopers been able to return to the courts.
Jahvon Olmstead, a freshman at Syracuse University said the break from basketball gave him time to do other things.
“When COVID-19 came and took all the hoops down, I didn’t know what to do with myself.,” Olmstead said. “It was good in a way cause I made more friends so I was more social but it was bad because it was boring, I don’t know?”
All 39 parks in Syracuse faced some sort of COVID-19 restrictions. It didn’t matter how old you were, you’d be affected. From jungle gyms to hoops, the virus caused parks to close down.
Reopening the courts in phases is a safety measure taken by Syracuse. There are currently over 35,000 positive cases of the virus in Onondaga County and around 25% of New York State is vaccinated. While quarantine put a pause on the play, things picked up just where it left off.
Warren Dixon, who is also a freshman at Syracuse University said he’s been trying to get back into playing shape after the long break.
“Now that we’re able to play again, um, hm… I’m pretty glad we are able to play again because getting that rhythm back is difficult,” Dixon said. “Especially when you aren’t playing every day. But now that we are able to, that’s good.”
The third and final opening phase finishes this week. In the next few weeks, you’ll see fewer rimless hoops and more pickup games.
Ryu: 65 degrees, sunny no wind. Today is the perfect day to hit the park and play some basketball. However, not until recently have hoopers been able to return to their second home.
Olmstead: “When COVID-19 came and took all the hoops down, I didn’t know what to do with myself. It was good in a way cause I made more friends so I was more social but it was bad because it was boring, I don’t know?”
Ryu: All 39 parks in Syracuse faced some sort of COVID-19 restrictions. Restrictions came in the form of closing down the jungle gym or taking the rims off the hoops, like they have at the Women’s building on Syracuse University’s campus.
Ryu: Here at Thornden Park, the hoops went back up the week of March 29, a year and 2 days after they were taken down. Some people like myself, haven’t played in over a year, so we certainly are a little rusty.
Ryu: Reopening of the courts in phases is a safety measure taken by Syracuse. There are currently over 35,000 positive cases of the virus in Onondaga County and around 25% of New York State is vaccinated. While quarantine put a pause on the play, things picked up just where it left off.
Dixon: “Now that we’re able to play again, um, hm… I’m pretty glad we are able to play again because getting that rhythm back is difficult especially when you aren’t playing everyday. But now that we are able to, that’s good”
Ryu: The third and final opening phase will conclude this week which includes the final 11 parks. If all goes well, you’ll see less of this, and more of this. Isaac Ryu in Syracuse, NCC News.
