La Grange Park TikTok Event Controversy Addressed

LA GRANGE PARK, IL — Full court play will continue to be allowed at La Grange Park's basketball court at Memorial Park, despite recent community concerns over TikTok-inspired "park takeovers," according to the park district.

Last week, the board for the Community Park District of La Grange Park was slated to discuss whether to restrict full court play without reservations at Memorial Park. This has been the site of a couple of basketball events over the summer. It is one of the few full basketball courts in the area.

At its meeting, the board reached a consensus that the district would create a "more robust" educational campaign on when and how the public should obtain permits for park events, said Jessica Cannaday, the district's executive director.

The district's staff also planned to work on electronic submission forms for permits and make the application process easier to find on the district's website.

At the meeting, resident Eddie Tullis spoke in support of the basketball courts, according to meeting minutes. He said he and his friends had grown up playing there.

“The court means a lot to us, and we have made a lot of great memories there. I hope the park district does not vote to take a rim down or make it a half court. We would rather play here, on our court, in our town," Tullis said, according to the minutes. "We are very proud to call it ours.”

Cannaday told Patch that the district received emails from four residents who were in support of maintaining the current level of service at the Memorial Park courts.

On July 17 and Aug. 17, "park takeovers" were held at Memorial with basketball games advertised on social media, including TikTok and Instagram. In both cases, organizers did not get permits beforehand, although an organizer signed such a document as the second one began.

During a Village Board meeting, a resident said the July event at Memorial Park was full of "gangbangers." Cannaday and Village President James Discipio disputed the assertion.