More Than Basketball

Rob Naples · Percy Park

Percy Park isn't just a place. It's where everything started.

I grew up on this court. Since 1998, this park has been a second home to me. Long summer days turned into nights under the streetlight, playing for hours, losing track of time, racing to get there after school, constantly looking out the window to see if anyone's there, always chasing the next game. This wasn't something I visited—it was part of who I became.

Right next door lived Percy Vesperman, the man the park is named after. He was always there. Sitting in his chair, watching. It felt like no matter what time I showed up, he was there keeping an eye on everything. That stuck with me. There was something bigger about this place—something rooted in community, presence, and pride.

“Even back in third or fourth grade, I had a vision. I didn't just want to play here — I wanted to build something here.”

Percy Park · Mount Carroll

I dreamed about creating a league that felt different. Something raw. Something real. That old-school, gritty energy you'd see in places like Rucker Park. Big plays. Packed sidelines. Real competition. Genuine culture. A place where people show up not just to play, but to be part of something.

That's what Percy Park League is.

It's more than basketball. It's a gathering place. It's summer nights filled with energy, families lining the sidelines, players competing at a high level, and a community that actually cares about what's happening on that court.

Percy Park · Game Night

This league was built for the people who grew up here. The ones who still love the game. The ones who want something to rally around in a small town.

And at the core of it all—it's about giving this park the life it always deserved.