(Oneida, NY – April 16, 2014) City of Oneida Mayor M. Alden Smith prepared the following statement in regards to the removal of the basketball court at Higinbotham Park in the downtown area of the city.
“The plans to remove the basketball court at Higinbotham Park are being put on hold pending a broader conversation with regard to our intentions.
It is my position that repurposing this park into a “passive park” is a very good alternative. There are at least four other locations to play basketball within the City of Oneida, none of which are inaccessible or difficult to access.
If the City of Oneida is to move ahead with renewed economic viability, we have to look at changing what we have done in the past. While many are uncomfortable with change, we have to be willing to embrace changes that will move us forward as a community.”