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Why Schools Should Open Their Playgrounds to the Public

Gail Cornwall

April 29, 2016 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Most cities face a common problem when it comes to parks and public space - not only do urban centers lack spaces for play but these spaces are also not distributed equally, with many low income and minority neighborhoods having the fewest and most neglected park amenities. Initiatives like the Shared Schoolyard Project and Schoolyards to Playgrounds Initiative in San Francisco and New York offer one solution - why not open up school yards to the public after hours and on the weekend? "The more people who will ultimately utilize a space, the higher the likelihood of both civic and private investment in it."

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How America's Top Junk-Food City Went on a Diet (and Fattened Its Economy)

Arthur Allen

December 17, 2015 |

Politico |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Reducing obesity relies not only on personal choices, but also systemic changes. In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the city’s anti-obesity campaign enrolls individuals and city planners in an inclusive effort to focus on wellness and change the built landscape. Going beyond education and outreach, the city’s plan also includes creating new spaces for riverside recreation, more sidewalks, and paths. Challenges remain, however, as the city navigates its cooperate relationships while trying to prioritize community health.

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Parklets Are Great, But Big Parks Pack a Big Punch

Cassie Owens

September 01, 2015 |

Next City |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Exeter

Larger green spaces may be critical to a city, as they can support more complete ecosystems. In contrast to smaller "parklets," large parks paired with high-density neighborhoods allow for healthier cities.

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Outdoor Afro: Busting Stereotypes That Black People Don't Hike Or Camp

Shereen Marisol Meraji

July 12, 2015 |

NPR |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

In 2009, a woman in Oakland, California realized that there was a lack of African Americans in the outdoors. Tired of being the "only one," she created an online social space via blogging and Facebook called Outdoor Afro to connect African-Americans with other African-Americans that wanted to enhance their time in nature. Six years later, this group has grown to international status with 7,000 members and 30 trained leaders that join together to get out in nature.

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Why DIY Public Spaces Are Starting to Take Off in Turkey

Jennifer Hattam

February 10, 2015 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Turkey, İzmir

An absence of public infrastructure and park space hasn't stopped the people of Izmir, Turkey from gathering in and enjoying the outdoors. Now a few clever and creative individuals are helping teach their communities to reclaim public spaces, sharing designs for recycling materials to build things like benches or docks for all to enjoy.

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You've Tracked Down Hundreds Of Accessible Playgrounds. Help Us Find More!

Matt Stiles

September 11, 2013 |

NPR |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Playgrounds that are accessible for children with special needs can be difficult to find. NPR launched a national crowd-sourced guide called Playgrounds for Everyone, which invited individuals to add playgrounds that are accessible. After the launch, nearly 400 playgrounds have been added to the already 1200 playgrounds on the map that will help families find public places for their children to play.

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The Rewards of Renewal

David Bornstein

June 16, 2011 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

Poor neighborhoods in the United States lack quality play spaces for children, also known as play deserts. An organization is enabling communities across the nation to build their own playground.

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The Power of the Playground

David Bornstein

April 07, 2011 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

Great minds from Plato to Piaget have recognized the importance of play in healthy child development, but with bullying becoming more prevalent on school playgrounds and increased pressure to maximize school hours to boost performance on standardized tests, schools are struggling to implement meaningful recess. Playworks and other similar non-profit groups provide coaching for adults on how to help structure children's playtime to be healthy, productive, and enjoyable, while allowing children to explore on their own and develop positive relationships.

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Hard Times for Recess

David Bornstein

April 04, 2011 |

The New York Times |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

Despite strong evidence that school-based physical activity improves children’s cognitive skills, concentration, and behavior, schools under pressure to produce quantitative results and decrease bullying have drastically cut back on recess in recent years. An Oakland-based nonprofit organization called Playworks is working to make healthy play accessible for more children and show schools how productive recess can be to the whole academic world.

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