YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jamael Tito Brown agreed to eliminate a full basketball court to the Lynn Park improvement project, which was the topic of a heated debate that included accusations of racism.

Seventh Ward Councilwoman Amber White, an independent, said her constituents didn’t want a full basketball court at the park off Lynn Avenue because it was to be placed right behind residents on Meadowbrook Avenue.

Instead, she wanted the half court there to remain.

The board of control Thursday agreed to hire Marucci & Gaffney Excavating Co. of Youngstown for $739,411 for the Lynn Park project.

Brown, who chairs the board of control, said he and other administration officials visited Lynn Park before the vote and agreed to not put in the full basketball court.

“We went out and talked to some neighbors and where the court is at is where we’ll keep it and upgrade it,” Brown said.

Also, pickleball courts will be located at the tennis courts, Brown said.

White voted for the Lynn Park plan at an Oct. 2 city council meeting because Brown said he would visit the site.

“I’m glad the mayor went and looked at it and revised the plan by offering a different solution,” White said. “The residents will be happy that the full court isn’t going in and won’t be behind their homes.”

White added, “It makes sense to keep the half court where it is and add security measures.”

At council’s Oct. 2 meeting, Clemate Franklin, the parks and recreation director, said the full court wasn’t welcomed in the neighborhood, based on some comments on Facebook, because older white residents didn’t want black people there.

He also said there were racist remarks on Facebook about the situation as “it brings the wrong crowd,” and Franklin said he’s heard references to Ipe Field, which is also in White’s ward, as “ape field” if blacks are allowed there.

White said in response, “Your ignorance shows your mentality,” and that the comments don’t represent those in her ward.

At that meeting, former 7th Ward Councilwoman Basia Adamczak read comments below White’s Facebook post that if the full court was put in, “your lives are going to be in danger.”

Adamczak said Thursday the park improvements were meant to be a hub for residents with upgraded facilities, increased recreational opportunities and inclusion. She said she is satisfied with the administration’s decision.

Also Thursday, the board of control approved a $514,745 contract with Parella-Pannunzio Inc., of Youngstown for improvements to Falls Park.

City council, with Adamczak leading the way, approved a $10.5 million American Rescue Plan allocation in June 2022 to improve a number of city parks.

Lynn and Falls were the first two contracts approved by the board of control.