Bolivar council, residents debate return of basketball goals at Blossom Park

Bolivar council members and neighborhood residents clashed over whether to reinstall basketball goals at Blossom Park during a public comment session at the council’s September meeting. Mayor (name not specified) opened the discussion and asked for community input before council direction; speakers included long-time residents and city staff.

Residents said the playground equipment recently installed at Blossom Park is appreciated but disagreed about reintroducing basketball goals. Charles “Butch” Gatlin Jr., who has lived near the park for 49 years, urged the council not to reinstall goals, saying prior problems drew people from outside the neighborhood and increased fighting and noise. “Basketball goals brings about problems,” Gatlin said. Other speakers, including a resident identified as Shay, said children currently play in the street and deserve a safe place…