Neighbors tell Olivette council they oppose a basketball court at southern Worsen Park

Judy Marams, a Worsen Pines Drive resident, told the Olivette City Council on Oct. 22 that a neighborhood petition shows the majority of nearby households oppose placing a basketball court on the southern portion of Worsen Park. "We found there's about 94 homes in our neighborhood, 67% ... said they do not want that," Marams said, citing concerns about excess noise and increased traffic.

Marams said neighbors are not categorically opposed to a basketball court but are asking the city to relocate it nearer the community center and to consider moving the community garden or dog park into the old community-center footprint. She said the parks planning materials she reviewed showed shifting proposals — from a small junior court to a full court and potentially two courts — and that neighbors worry changes are happening without broad notice.

City Manager Miss Yackley responded that the idea remains at the Parks & Recreation Commission discussion stage and that no funding or capital-project implementation has been authorized. "It is still at the Parks and Rec Commission phase," she said and offered to forward the neighborhood's message to Beverly Tucker Knight, the parks and recreation director.

Council members and staff encouraged residents to attend the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting and speak during the public-comment time. Council member Weil noted the commission's internal prioritization and advised the neighborhood to engage with staff and commissioners as the work continues.

Next steps: Parks and Recreation Commission will continue its discussion of park priorities; neighbors and the council liaison were urged to bring the petition and community concerns to the commission for consideration. The council did not vote on any action regarding park siting during the Oct. 22 meeting.