It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home Visitor Center gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Riley, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
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“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well-”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very ”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care”
“Exceptional staff and very caring. I know my loved ones are taken care of which”
“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of”
“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
“I think it’s one of the best companies there’s always someone ready and willing to go help people with great attitudes! Anyone that wants to live at home but needs a little extra help should definitely get someone from this company at your home to help out!”
“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in need. Whatever my questions may be or any help I need as a health care provider for my client they have always came through with help.”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well- bean in their hands”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very trust my dad’s safety if they taking care of him.”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care for members of your family.”
“Exceptional staff and very caring. I know my loved ones are taken care of which gives me a peace of mind. Definitely recommend!”
“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of the most caring and dedicated people I have ever met. They truly want to help people get the best care for their loved ones. My grandmother would have loved to have care like this.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Riley Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local J Ford's Black Angus or visit Riley Home Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Riley, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Riley, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Riley, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
After the Miami Heat left the court following an embarrassing 138-83 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on its home court, one that completed a playoff sweep for the Cavs, it’s no surprise that star center Bam Adebayo wasn’t in the best of moods. But what was a surprise was what Adebayo would say to the media in his postgame press conference.Adebayo, who is set to enter the first of a three-year, $165 million contract next season, took aim at team president and legendary NBA executiv...
After the Miami Heat left the court following an embarrassing 138-83 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on its home court, one that completed a playoff sweep for the Cavs, it’s no surprise that star center Bam Adebayo wasn’t in the best of moods. But what was a surprise was what Adebayo would say to the media in his postgame press conference.
Adebayo, who is set to enter the first of a three-year, $165 million contract next season, took aim at team president and legendary NBA executive Pat Riley. Riley, who is 80 years old and in his 30th season with the organization, was largely responsible for the deal that saw star Jimmy Butler leave Miami at the trade deadline, precipitating the team’s eventual collapse.
Bam Adebayo: “There’s going to be a lot of changes this summer. Just from my point of view, understanding how the guy with the silver hair (Pat Riley) works. Just be prepared for that.” pic.twitter.com/5jLStaBQ9W
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 29, 2025
“There’s going to be a lot of changes this summer,” Adebayo told reporters postgame via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “Just from my point of view, understanding how the guy with the silver hair works. Just be prepared for that.”
The “guy with the silver hair,” of course, refers to Riley. For the last decade-plus, Miami has created an aura around its organizational culture. It even went so far to create alternate uniforms with “Heat Culture” emblazoned across the front and pasted fancy buzzwords on the court.
But now that culture seems to be falling apart, and fans are taking notice.
you can’t wear the Heat Culture jerseys for at least a decade after this.
— Rohan Nadkarni (@RohanNadkarni) April 29, 2025
HEAT CULTURE ???????????? pic.twitter.com/9fY2s6m0wR
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) April 29, 2025
“Heat Culture” pic.twitter.com/mLDwIo4AtZ
— Trang (@traaang) April 29, 2025
Maybe Riley finds a way to rescue this. Big-name stars such as Kevin Durant and potentially Giannis Antetokounmpo look to be available for the right price. But the cracks in the mystique are hard to miss, and it looks like it may well be a long road back for Riley and the Heat.
USC is closing in on the end of spring ball this week with now just one practice to go. That means it will soon be time for Lincoln Riley and his staff to spend time evaluating where the Trojans made progress over the last month and what needs to be in focus heading into summer workouts.The USC head coach was asked about a number of positions Thursday after the Trojans wrapped up their 14th day of work on the practice field, and he provided his thoughts on some key positions for the team in the final week.Watch Riley's full pos...
USC is closing in on the end of spring ball this week with now just one practice to go. That means it will soon be time for Lincoln Riley and his staff to spend time evaluating where the Trojans made progress over the last month and what needs to be in focus heading into summer workouts.
The USC head coach was asked about a number of positions Thursday after the Trojans wrapped up their 14th day of work on the practice field, and he provided his thoughts on some key positions for the team in the final week.
Watch Riley's full post-practice interview and scroll down for a complete transcript of his comments ...
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CHRISTIAN PIERCE NOT OUT THERE?
Small little injury thing. He had a doctor’s appointment this afternoon that caused him to miss. He wouldn’t have been able to go full-go. Nothing serious, but he won’t be able to go the rest of spring.
ERIC GENTRY’S NEXT STEP?
He’s done well. I think he’s really taken to Rob’s style of coaching. You know, you can tell it’s his second year in the defense. He’s been consistent, vocal, energetic. You know, he’s always had the ability to make really spectacular plays. I think the consistency for him is just climbing more and more, and this spring, there’s been a lot of that. There’s the impactful plays, but even his plays that aren’t his best are still pretyrt decent. You can still compete, still win with that. That’s when guys become really good players. I’ve talked to you guys about it. The casual fan thinks it’s how many great players are they making. But really, it’s how bad are their bad plays? Can you survive their bad plays? Really great players, you can survive their bad plays and their good ones are really good. He’s definitely trending that way. So you just see, I just think h’es continuing to grow. In this last year, a lot of times it just hits guys different. This is their last opportunity, and I feel like he’s really invested himself right now in making the most of it. He’s healthy. He’s confident. He’s put on a lot of weight. He’s in the best place he’s ever been in his time here at SC.
THOUGHTS ON YOUNGER DL?
All very talented, all certainly have the ability to impact this team, our defensive line, this year. Floyd really came out of the gates strong, was limited in the middle of spring, but it’s going back again now. We’ve been really pleased with Floyd, his explosiveness, how quickly he’s caught onto our system. I would say a lot of the same things about Jahkeem. Jahkeem has been able to stay on the field the entire time. He’s improved quickly. His natural ability is very apparent. And he’s learning more and more – I think the technique of it and certainly what we’re doing schematically, it just cleans up every day. Been impressive to see, especially with him being really a year younger than all these guys. The fact that he can physically go out here and hold his own with anybody, that’s pretty hard to do when you should be a junior in high school right now. Cash has done a good job. Cash, really, in the past week has really started to come on. You see his confidence growing, see some individually really good reps. He’s got a lot of talent. Again, another guy that’s continuing to adjust to the physicality consistently on our practice field right now, but is going to be a great player. All three of those guys have come in here and done a nice job for us.
RIGHT TACKLE?
I mean, Tobias, Justin, those are two right tackles we feel like we can win with right now. I feel like our top three tackles right now have really separated themselves, obviously with adding Paige to that group. Those three guys right now are clearly the best tackles. And then that’ll be a big focus point in summer and fall camp. Who’s the fourth? Who’s the fifth? Where’s that depth come from? Some of the young guys, are they ready to step up? Are there guys that have position flex that have to bounce back and forth for us? That’ll certainly be a big question. But all three of those guys have had really good springs. They’ve stayed healthy. They’ve stayed on the field. They’re all stronger from the offseason. They’ve all really improved and done a nice job.
SENSE OF TEAM’S PERSONALITY?
Starting to figure it out more, probably even more than some of these springs because less of our team was here in previous springs. I definitely have a feel for it. I’m trying to think in a few words, a short answer how to explain it. It’s a very together team right now. There’s a lot of back and forth on the field. There seems to be a real genuine just kind of bond with these guys right now that’s fun to see. It’s a high energy team. THere’s a lot of energy. There’s a lot of kind of young, and in some ways unproven leadership, but I think very talented – and I think gonna be very effective – leadership that’s been brewing on this team. So it’s been good. Ipring has flown by for us. Practice has been fun. These guys don’t like when we blow the horn at the end. I think they’ve really – I sense this team is really listening to the things we’re stressing, to the things we’re trying to teach them. We don’t do certainly everything perfect right now by any stretch, but I do feel like when we go stand in front of the team and say, ‘We have to do this better, this is important,’ you feel like the team then takes that and it becomes important to them and you see concerted efforts to really attack those things. As a coach that makes you excited because it’s like, let’s put the right things in front of these guys because they want to be great, they want to be coached hard, they want to be pushed. I would say the group collectively, you really feel that.
YOUNG LEADERSHIP SURPRISE YOU?
I dont know if surprised is the right word. I’m excited to see it. You felt like there were some really good potential leaders in this group. We’ve been probably a little bit slower to kind of name or single out those guys here, compared to recent years, because I wanted this thing to come together a little bit more organically. Didn’t want to preset the leader. It was who really rises to the top and takes hold of it. It’s been fun to see. There have been some people we expected and up to this point a few that wouldn’t have been the first names you called out but who stepped forwardand really assumed that role. That obviously will evolve through the summer and all that, but it’s intriguing, it’s encouraging.
LEARN ABOUT THE QB ROOM IN SPRING?
It’s a room that we expect to be the best in college football, year in and year out. That’s just our expectation for that room. To do that you need multiple guys that can run the offense, that can execute, that can lead. So we really worked hard on the depth in that room. Obviously added a couple new faces in there, and I think the room has bonded together well right now. Maybe since we first got here, it might be one of the closest QB rooms we’ve had right now. And that’s good because they’re pushing each other, they’re working hard, and yeah, it’s a good mix. It’s kind of Jayden in the middle in terms of experience, Sam has obviously played a lot of college ball and seen a lot. Husan, you know, Husan is just kind of getting thrown into it right now. But they all bring some unique things to the table. They all certainly can move the offense, and this spring, there’s been no question about that. It’s been good to see.
Courtesy of the office of Council Member Kevin C. RileyBronx Council Member Kevin C. Riley rallied with youth advocates and community leaders on April 23 to demand year-round access to indoor basketball courts, just hours before a key City Council Parks and Recreation Committee hearing on the issue.Riley is the sponsor of the Indoor Hoops Act, which would set the city on a path to open more indoor basketball courts like those inside NYC public schools when bad weather makes using public outdoor basketball courts difficult or on...
Courtesy of the office of Council Member Kevin C. Riley
Bronx Council Member Kevin C. Riley rallied with youth advocates and community leaders on April 23 to demand year-round access to indoor basketball courts, just hours before a key City Council Parks and Recreation Committee hearing on the issue.
Riley is the sponsor of the Indoor Hoops Act, which would set the city on a path to open more indoor basketball courts like those inside NYC public schools when bad weather makes using public outdoor basketball courts difficult or on weekends. Riley has 28 co-sponsors in support of the bill that is currently in committee.
Riley said that being able to access basketball courts rain or shine is important for many young people in the Bronx and the other boroughs who may not have someplace safe to go when outdoor games get canceled due to bad weather.
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“Basketball and youth sports overall, are more than games in our neighborhoods,” Riley said. “They’re avenues for mentorship, discipline, academic support, and emotional wellness.”
The bill would create a partnership between the New York City Parks & Recreation Department and the Department of Education (DOE) and aims to keep school basketball courts open after school hours and on weekends, when courts are typically unused. Riley said that young people need alternatives when outdoor youth programs are rained out.
“We cannot allow our youth to be left without safe places to grow, play, and thrive—especially during inclement weather or after school hours,” he said.
But later on during the committee hearing, Parks Department representatives said that the agency does not support the Indoor Hoops Act calling it “inappropriate” and “infeasible” because it asked the parks department to facilitate opening courts that are not under the agency’s jurisdiction. Representatives from the department also cited concerns about limited resources, noting the Parks Department already oversees 1,765 outdoor basketball courts and 21 indoor courts.
Parks Department resources have been a sticking point between Mayor Eric Adams and the city council in budget negotiations. Council members, youth programming advocates and environmental advocates have been pushing the Adams administration to increase funding to the Parks Department by some $80 million dollars in the latest budget saying that the department is key to achieving the city’s sustainability goals.
The city already has a similar program called Schoolyards to Playgrounds Program which allows schoolyards in elementary and middle schools to remain open after school hours and on weekends to serve as public playgrounds in an effort to make outdoor spaces more accessible to New Yorkers. Riley’s bill would take a similar approach to make school courts available to the public outside of school hours.
While the Parks Department said during the hearing that it was opposed to the bill, representatives said their objections were “largely technical in nature” and that the Parks Department was open to exploring creative solutions and interagency partnerships that would increase access to basketball courts for New Yorkers.
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