Basketball hoop at our house and we are caught between multigenerational neighbors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ I hope this won't involve any work or money.

No. Find the rattles, use some foam or duct tape in key places, tighten the bolts bolts. It's not hard. Usually most of the noise is a loose bracket, loose rim, or the glass rattling in the frame. I don't see the problem, but hey if you can do it in a half hour, it's fixed and it's a gesture that doesn't affect playing time.

[Anonymous]

Well, on one hand kids need exercise and movement. More than they get in a typical school day, so the fact they're out there moving is a really good thing.

On the other hand, thump thump thump thump for hours at a time w/ no idea when it will stop would drive me up the wall. Old people tend to 1) like routine and predictability and 2) have more aches and pains than younger people which could be exacerbated by thump thump thump and wondering when it's going to end.


I like PP's solution to give the hoop to the neighbor and let them work something out w/ the older couple. Either that or have the a 2 hr time limit up to two times a day (so a total of four non-consecutive hours of playing per day.) That seems reasonable. Nobody should have to listen to thump thump thump thump for more than 4 hours a day. That's 1/4 of a normal person's waking hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ I hope this won't involve any work or money.

No. Find the rattles, use some foam or duct tape in key places, tighten the bolts bolts. It's not hard. Usually most of the noise is a loose bracket, loose rim, or the glass rattling in the frame. I don't see the problem, but hey if you can do it in a half hour, it's fixed and it's a gesture that doesn't affect playing time.

I would ask the neighbor boy and his friend to do this the next time they were over. Obviously , have the supplies but they can do the work.

[Anonymous]

Tightening it is a reasonable attempt at accommodation. Adding more limits to their playing time is not reasonable, nor is dealing with the hassle of moving your hoop onto someone else's property.

[Anonymous]

Give the hoop to the kids to keep at their house. The neighbors really can't complain about noise two doors down.

[Anonymous]

More good can come from letting the kids play ball (during the very reasonable hours that you set). The kids aren't out getting into trouble. They are getting exercise. They are having fun.

I would ignore the old folks and let the kids play. It'll be winter before you know it and they'll only be out playing for shorter periods soon enough. Ignore the older people on this one.

[Anonymous]

Are the kids bringing multiple balls? I know the sound of 5 or 6 balls bouncing around can be irritating.

[Anonymous]

Do everyone a favor and remove the basketball hoop without comment. The slapping of the basketball is loud and annoying. There are some places that do not allow basketball hoops for that reason. I can understand why the neighbor does not want the noise or hang out of a hoop used by "whoever" the neighbors invite. I am sorry that the neighbor had to call and tell you this, but he is right. Your front yard is not a hang out, particularly for your older neighbor. Be a good neighbor -- those HS kids can find a place to play -- your neighbor cannot move.

[Anonymous]

PPs no need to be so ugly about the "old neighbors"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, on one hand kids need exercise and movement. More than they get in a typical school day, so the fact they're out there moving is a really good thing.

On the other hand, thump thump thump thump for hours at a time w/ no idea when it will stop would drive me up the wall. Old people tend to 1) like routine and predictability and 2) have more aches and pains than younger people which could be exacerbated by thump thump thump and wondering when it's going to end.


I like PP's solution to give the hoop to the neighbor and let them work something out w/ the older couple. Either that or have the a 2 hr time limit up to two times a day (so a total of four non-consecutive hours of playing per day.) That seems reasonable. Nobody should have to listen to thump thump thump thump for more than 4 hours a day. That's 1/4 of a normal person's waking hours.

+1.

[Anonymous]

I would do nothing, but if neighbor brings it up again ask him to speak directly to the family/families of the basketball players. It should fall on those actively invested in the issue (they want to play basketball/they don't want to hear others playing basketball) to negotiate a civil solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do everyone a favor and remove the basketball hoop without comment. The slapping of the basketball is loud and annoying. There are some places that do not allow basketball hoops for that reason. I can understand why the neighbor does not want the noise or hang out of a hoop used by "whoever" the neighbors invite. I am sorry that the neighbor had to call and tell you this, but he is right. Your front yard is not a hang out, particularly for your older neighbor. Be a good neighbor -- those HS kids can find a place to play -- your neighbor cannot move.

PP, I am curious: what do you think a front yard is for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do everyone a favor and remove the basketball hoop without comment. The slapping of the basketball is loud and annoying. There are some places that do not allow basketball hoops for that reason. I can understand why the neighbor does not want the noise or hang out of a hoop used by "whoever" the neighbors invite. I am sorry that the neighbor had to call and tell you this, but he is right. Your front yard is not a hang out, particularly for your older neighbor. Be a good neighbor -- those HS kids can find a place to play -- your neighbor cannot move.

PP, I am curious: what do you think a front yard is for?

Clearly for displaying the skills of one's gardener.

[Anonymous]

Just tell grumpy old man that it will be quiet when he dies.

[Anonymous]

Maybe ask which hours they especially would prefer the kids not play?