Basketball court at Meehan
gets a little TLC

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

A Northeast Times story about a neglected basketball court at Austin Meehan Middle School last week spurred city and school district officials to begin cleaning up the site.
City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski (D-6th dist.) and School Reform Commission member Martin Bednarek partnered to organize a clearing of overgrowth and trash on the blighted lot, an effort that began on Friday. They believe the well-hidden site, located feet from the middle school at 3001 Ryan Ave., attracts underage drinking and vandalism at night.
"All this brush and weeds are going to be cleared so the Philly police and the school district police can have a clear view of what’s happening back here," Krajewski said.
Meanwhile, spokeswoman Felecia Ward said that a partnership with the Department of Recreation puts the ball in the school district’s court when it comes to maintaining the site.
The court was originally a recreation property open to the community, but when the school district purchased the Meehan property from the city, it took responsibility for the court, Ward said.
"The deal is because it is so close (to the school) that we actually clean and maintain it," she said. "We want to keep it safe and clean for the public."
Ward said the site does get cleaned regularly, though when the Times investigated it several weeks ago, the significant amount of debris and overgrowth suggested that it had accumulated over some time. In the past, community groups have targeted the site for cleanup, but those efforts may be sporadic, Ward said.
Ward said the district had considered fencing off the lot but feared liability issues. The goal now, she said, is to keep the space visible and accessible so that no suspicious activity can take place there.
"It is somewhat secluded," Ward said. "People do things in places they can’t be seen." ••
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com