On Friday afternoon, shortly after classes dismissed, dozens of students arrived at the new Barrington Middle School basketball courts hoping to take advantage of the warm, sunny weather. 

Instead, the local teenagers found themselves locked out of the courts. 

An official from the department of public works confirmed that the courts were locked Friday afternoon because of trash. He said there is a policy requiring the courts be kept clean — if there is trash left at the courts, the town will lock the doors. There are also signs posted around the courts at the middle school. 

Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey said officials do not want to lock up the courts, but they also cannot let them continue to get covered in trash.

“We want people using these courts… they’re great courts,” he said. “They’re there to use. Not to abuse.

“Long-term we need to find some other way to incentivize keeping these courts clean.”

Barrington resident Mac Dolan agreed that there needs to be a better long-term solution to the trash issue at the courts. He also said that while some Barrington kids are likely adding to the trash problem at the courts, it’s not all of them, and there are also other people who use the courts who may be leaving trash behind.

“Do I think kids need to take a greater responsibility for the garbage they bring to the courts? Yes, I do,” he said. “But they’re not the only ones” leaving garbage there.

“I don’t agree with punishing everyone.”

Officials from the department of public works said the trash left at the courts includes everything from sweatshirts and water bottles to alcohol nip bottles, hypodermic needles and pizza boxes. The trash has become a safety issue, the DPW official added. Workers from the DPW were at the courts on Sunday morning cleaning up the trash. 

Mr. Hervey said he is speaking with the police chief to figure what needs to be done to help remedy the situation. The town manager said he would prefer to engage in a public education campaign to eliminate the problem.