The 3rd Ward Park in Hastings may get a regulation size 50 by 84 square foot basketball court, striped with lines to match what middle and high school students use in schools, so they can practice at the park court.

It’s Councilman Don Smith’s idea. 

Monday, he asked and received unanimous approval from the council for him to work with city staff during the project. His employer will fund one-half of the cost, the rest will be asked of residents to give them ownership of the park.  He said everyone he talked to liked the idea and he plans to go door to door raising the needed capital.

The park, also known as the skate park, has an area that gets little use with room for a court.

Smith said with an epoxy surface and commercial poles they could hold basketball camps in the summer and the residents on the northeast side of town would welcome a place for kids to exercise.

He plans on enough top soil to cover 90 by 60 square feet and a couple of feet of sand for drainage.

“I do want to raise money from the residents to give them ownership,” he repeated.

Photo: Hastings City Councilman Don Smith tells council members of his plans for  a basketball court in 3rd Ward Park.