While communities throughout the country struggle with budgetary constraints, providing the resources needed to ensure that children stay active and healthy too often gets placed on the back-burner. Yet, despite these constraints, there are several cost-effective policy measures that community leaders can pursue to increase access to the play opportunities that children need to thrive.
To that end, KaBOOM! strongly supports the creation of joint use agreements that make play more accessible to kids, and is working to assist communities across the country to open up school playgrounds, during non-school hours, through the availability of $30,000 and $15,000 Let’s Play Joint Use Grants.
A joint use agreement (JUA) is a formal agreement between two separate entities–often a school and a city or county–setting forth the terms and conditions for shared use of public property or facilities. While most agreements are formed between government entities, nonprofit groups and private property owners can also take part in joint use agreements. Each agreements differs in size and scope, but they all serve to solidify collaborative partnerships that pool resources and divide responsibility amongst all of the parties involved.
Founded by General Harry C. Trexler, Romper Day takes place at the end of August as a joyful conclusion to Allentown’s Summer Play Program. This year, over 1,000 residents celebrated a “Hip-Hop Connection” themed day of fun and tradition. While today’s residents of Allentown might not be jamming to the jazzy tunes of the American Quartet like they were 100 years ago, Romper Day still remains a fond tradition of the city. Allentown calls their summer recreational programming the Summer Playground Program. Children of the community have over 22 locations where they can play basketball, flag football, tennis, bowling, kickball, soccer, softball, swimming, wiffle-ball, and create arts and crafts, most locations with access to playgrounds! Romper Day celebrates a summer full of play, Allentown’s recognition as a Playful City USA, members of the community coming together and culminates with a group of children dancing around and decorating a May Pole. 2013 will be the 100-year anniversary for this day full of racing, family, dancing and more.
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