Safety or Structure/ Portable Basketball Hoops

We're in Florida. Just recently gained management from developers. Several issues regarding ARC It Says in our covenants in regards to paint color tool sheds etc. What is not clear is where do Portable Basketball Hoops fall. If at all? Issue being left in the streets, Small children have hard time trying to play, elderly afraid they may get hit by balls, Residents complaining they can't have access to driveways. Some are expressing they are thinking about moving. From a safety point of view.. They fall over in the street if not moved bach into lawn area. Children running in front of cars almost being hit by car. Hoops falling over could possible fall on someone or on a car. What is the insurance liability for the HOA?

Joan:

Check with your local Ordiances, here in Mooresville, NC the Town does not allow playing in the streets. In Charlotte, NC BB goals are not permitted to be facing the streets. They have to be orignated in a position as the play takes place in the driveway, not on the street. See what your local laws and for that matter even the state has to say about playing in the streets/BB Goals.

I would try to avoid installing portable basketball hoops. Unless it is bought by the HOA and put in a place of common area NOT near homes or the street. Our HOA had 1 common one near the pool area. There was just grass underneath it. The area was pretty in the center below a hill and above the other houses with fences. So there wasn't much issue with it. However the portable one of an owner... that was a DIFFERENT issue.
We had 2 neighbors. Both sons were 8 years old and played basketball. The one neighbor put a portable basketball goal at the end of their driveway facing the street and across from the other neighbor. It was at a corner and visible for drivers to see. Most of the kids and even myself played with that hoop. HOWEVER, one day the other neighbor wanted to put up their OWN portable hoop for their son. The two neighbors sons were NOT on the same team. The other neighbor's location was NOT conductive for having a basketball hoop installed. The hoop would NOT be visible by drivers and it would have been in front of some of the home's windows. NOT a good idea. I discussed with the board members and we voted NO to the other basketball goal. Well that did NOT sit well with the owner. They called me up and told me if that neighbor had one (technically illegal) then any owner should have one. My ONLY choice at that point. I TOOK the portable basketball away! The owner agreed to remove it since they didn't want their neighbor to have one. (A feud had developed). I moved the hoop to the common area with the other permanent hoop. That way there was somewhat of a basketball court. In time the portable hoop got destroyed. It became a hazaard and a trashy item in the middle of the common area. I gave it away to someone outside the HOA.
I am telling you this story because this will happen to your HOA. One neighbor will get denied or place the goal in a place that interupts other neighbors. They are going to wine and cry to the board that if so-so has one so should I. It just isn't the case. NOT every yard is capable of handling such things. Plus the noise, balls bouncing, and possible damage just isn't a good thing to have in a HOA although fun.