Overview

Many communities lack spaces and equipment for physical activity. Additionally, many neighborhoods may not have sidewalks or open spaces, such as parks, that facilitate regular physical activity. In other communities, existing outdoor space may be unsafe or unsupervised. Opening facilities outside of school hours can provide a safe and familiar place for students and their families to be active! This can be done by creating a joint use agreement with a partner organization or by simply extending the hours of the school day to allow students and their families to be physically active.

Take Action

Public school buildings are places that can and should play an important part in increasing physical activity, not only among the students, but also for families and community members, too. Take action with some of these strategies.

• Schools have indoor and outdoor spaces to offer to students and the community after school. Consider the gymnasium, weight room, fields, and playgrounds offering direct access to spaces to increase opportunities to play and socialize.
• Work with administrators, school boards and insurance agents to have the school open during non-school hours for community physical activities.
• Consider hosting open gym where students can come in before or after school to shoot hoops, play soccer or do fitness stations.
• Send flyers home with students, post announcements in local newspapers, and alert the media to notify the community about school facility availability and upcoming physical activity programs.
• Look into a joint use agreement with partners such as your local parks and recreation department, YMCA, or university to offer programming and staff for special events.

What is a joint use agreement?

Joint use refers to two or more groups, usually a school and a city or private organization, sharing indoor and outdoor spaces like gymnasiums, athletic fields and playgrounds. The rationale is clear: Share resources to keep costs down for everyone and communities healthy. Joint use is a way to increase opportunities for children and adults to be more physically active.

Examples of joint use agreements:

• A principal unlocks the school gate after school so families can walk around the track or play basketball on evenings and weekends.
• A school and swim team share a pool.
• A school opens its soccer field to a local league for weekend games.
• A YMCA opens its gym to the local physical education teacher so students have a place to exercise after school.
• Opening the gym before school to allow community members to walk laps.

Joint use agreements make physical activity easier by providing kids and adults with safe, conveniently located and inviting places to exercise and play. As a parent or in cooperation with the school wellness committee, explore the steps needed to gain access to facilities during non-school hours.

• Open negotiations with local school administrators and school board about making school facilities available to families and community members for use after school use.
• Identify solutions to common barriers such as facility maintenance, liability, ownership, insurance, staffing, and cost.
• A formal or informal contract can help schools anticipate what will be involved in open facility time.
• A needs survey might be done to determine extent of interest, best times, and what activities should be available.