Community United: Haughville Mini Basketball Expos Bring Neighbors Together

Organizations on Indianapolis' near west side are teaming up to bring back community basketball tournaments, a effort to get to know neighbors and create a positive activity for kids. The Haughville mini expos will be held once a month, with the first one taking place at Haughville Park.

"The overall goal, really, is getting the community back out. One of the slogans is it takes the hood to save the hood. So, only way we can keep these nice places going and keep them active is getting outside and using them," said Tedderick Hardy, founder of No Days Off 317.

The mini expos are being hosted by NextGenWest, which aims to connect kids and community members while promoting unity and fun. The events will feature basketball tournaments for kids 18 and younger.

"What we're trying to do is connect, do something that has never been done in the community, which is participate in every park in the Haughville community, and what we're trying to do is bring some unity together and some fun," said David Donald, co-founder of NextGenWest.

The mini expos will take place at a different Haughville park each month. The next event will be held at Denver Park, followed by Lentz Park and ending at Mozel Sanders Park in collaboration with Belmont Beaches.

CJ Hill, who has lived in the area for decades, remembers the excitement of playing basketball in his neighborhood when he was younger. He's thrilled to see new playground equipment, grills, courts, and clean spaces popping up around Haughville.

"This park hasn't had anything, any upgrade or anything like this in about 30 years or so since I can remember, so it's just a beautiful thing, and I haven't seen anything like this in a while. Especially since I'm born and raised in Haughville," said Hill.

Allie King, who lives near Haughville Park, loves the idea of community events bringing people together. She's excited to see more activity in her neighborhood.

"As far as living on the same street as the park, I love it. I love the activity, I love the business, and so I just would enjoy that they would keep it up," said King.

For David Donald, the mini expos represent a step forward in changing the perception of Haughville's community.

"Haughville has always been labeled as a negative community. So, what we're trying to do is put some positive things back in the community," said Donald.