the typical orientation of sports courts like tennis, volleyball, basketball, etc is n/s because of the sun. n/s orientation would make day time play better. would not affect night time play, unless the new lights are oriented for n/s play.
as such, making daytime play better may make night time play less important.
but the n/s orientation next to the existing paved path would have b-ball players on their way to a lay up basically slamming into pedestrians with baby strollers. it would make that path les desireable at times for everyone that could use it....not to mention the bench location.
ever seen Shaq go into a crowd? right now, players get to just 'run it out' if they want to. no one or anything to slam into. but the risk is for parks to manage.