Improving Opportunities for Physical Activity in the Community: Examining Common Elements of Successfully Executed Joint Use Agreements in Los Angeles County

Introduction: From June 2010-January 2011, the Los Angeles County Joint Use Task Force successfully facilitated the execution or strengthening of five joint-use agreements between two local school districts (i.e., Los Angeles Unified and Pomona Unified School Districts) and several community-based agencies/communities (e.g., YMCA, City of Los Angeles, CSA-South, Gates Security). In this qualitative analysis, we examined the legal and programmatic elements contained in these agreements and the lessons learned from the planning process.

Methods: We conducted a case-series content analysis detailing the types and proposed uses of school/community resources as described in the joint-use agreements.

Results: All joint use agreements contained similar legal elements, including: 1) term or duration of the arrangement; 2) outline of specific resources to be provided, including the anticipated use and use periods of identified facilities (i.e. athletic field, field lighting, restrooms, parking, classroom use); 3) indemnity and/or liability conditions; 4) handling of waste and security; and 5) agreement termination criteria. Context and scope of the proposed arrangements varied considerably and did not supersede the importance of legal conditions during negotiations.

Discussion: Working with school districts and community organizations to draft and execute joint-use agreements appears feasible if certain legal requirements are met. Some of these key requirements included a focus on risk management, plan for preserving/protecting school ground conditions/facilities, and user safety. Future studies should examine the actual risks of these arrangements and the role of community engagement to provide better clarity on the legal burden of participating in joint-use arrangements.