Emi Guimond has hooped around the globe, but she always returns home to Michigan. In all her travels, she never forgets about “Holy Grounds”, the public court that was built during her childhood and made a lasting impact on her. Even in its neglect, she still has a deep love for those double rims.
Read MoreEdgar Heap of Birds reclaims a Long Island City park as native land
It rained on the ceremony to officially open the Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds courts at Murray Park in Long Island City. Nature challenged us to play and work within its system. But, there was a lesson about water hovering just beyond my awareness, and the more I spoke with Edgar Heap of Birds that day, the more I understood its significance.
Read MoreLIFE SPAN: @jimmysnightmarket returns home
Casas Park is where James Colina, Jr found a place to play and be free from the darkness that troubled him at home. Now returning home after over 16 years, he can still feel the memories of matchups on this court.
Read MoreLIFE SPAN: @doublerimslim finds peace at Seminole Park
@DoubleRimSlim is a photographer and videographer from Baltimore, MD. He offers insight into how one court in particular offered him peace of mind and helped shape his project.
Read MoreWhereas Hoops holds a St. Louis Park accountable
Forest Park in St. Louis is the “Crown Jewel” of the city. But visual artist John Early and sports studies scholar Noah Cohan noticed that basketball was missing from the extensive amenities of the park. Forest Park has tennis courts. Forest Park has volleyball. It has baseball and softball. Its waters are used for kayaking. Forest Park even has cricket and archery. People are permitted to shoot arrows at Forest Park. But as Whereas Hoops notes, “Basketball would apparently just be too much, and too dangerous.”
Read MoreLIFE SPAN: @SWISHHDREAMS
The LIFE SPAN series continues with hooper, clothing designer, and court designer Hannah Hunter, founder of Swishh Dreams. The non-profit project uses its funds from the clothing brand toward basketball court restoration. Hannah’s contribution to LIFE SPAN tells the story of the first court that launched the project.
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