The Northampton Parks & Recreation Department (NPRD) is collaborating with the Northampton Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police to bring the Unity Basketball League to Northampton. The NPRD will host two Unity Basketball Community Days in November. Both events will be held at JFK Middle School at 100 Bridge Road in Florence. To enter the gym, park in the back of the building and enter the building across from the tennis courts.

Thursday, Nov. 7 from 5-8 p.m. is designed for seventh and eighth grade boys and girls. The evening will feature contests, music, pick up games and pizza.

Thursday, Nov. 14 from 5-8 p.m. is designed for families and participants in kindergarten through eighth grade. Again, it will feature a variety of basketball contests with prizes, pick up games, music, pizza and special guests from the UMass Sport Management Department.

These fun events are completely free with the goal of encouraging communication between young people and police officers in a fun, competitive setting. Pre-registration is highly encouraged and can be completed online at www.northamptonma.gov/recreation.

For questions, visit www.northamptonma.gov/recreation, or call Northampton Police Detective Lauren Bolduc at 413-587-1136, or Northampton Parks & Recreation at 587-1040.