Power of Joint-Use Agreements to Create Strong Partnerships and Healthier Communities

Research indicates that in cases where children had access to a park within 1km, they were almost five times more likely to be classified as being of a healthy weight rather than at risk or overweight compared to children without playgrounds in nearby parks. Similarly, people with recreational facilities or parks nearby exercise 38% more than those without nearby access. Thus, making existing facilities publicly available to more residents through joint-use agreements can increase access and serve as a powerful catalyst for healthier living. Opening playspaces to the community strengthens community partnerships and provides for cost-effective and necessary access to recreational facilities, particularly in underserved areas. Whether the playspaces be under the auspices of schools or community-based organizations, this increase in access increases communities' opportunities for physical activity, allows organizations to leverage partnerships in order to better equip and maintain their facilities in times of fiscal austerity, and creates networks between schools, community organizations, residents, and city officials. This session, based on a jointly developed free toolkit created by KaBOOM! and the National Legal and Policy Analysis Network, will lead participants through the basics of crafting community-supported joint-use agreements and examine their benefits, focusing specifically on partnerships and potential public health outcomes. A series of case studies from Niagara Falls, NY, Hernando, MS, and Tucson, AZ, will illustrate promising practices and provide a framework for joint-use implementation in diverse communities.