http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ People across California care deeply about joint use. Log in or register to speak to them here. New to the joint use forum? Registration is easy and only takes a minute. Enter your email address and create a username and password. This is not an anonymous discussion board, and we encourage participants to choose a username that includes both their first and last names. Because we want to learn from each other and, together, build a movement for joint use, it is important for people to know who they are talking to. Once you've logged in, click "add new" to post a comment, or click on an existing post's title to read and/or reply. en-US Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:07:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/search.php http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/assembly-bill-2705-outlook-for-joint-use#post-39 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:20:21 +0000 Lori Dorfman 39@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Great news, Marty. Can you post the bill # and details when you get them? </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/assembly-bill-2705-outlook-for-joint-use#post-38 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:06:48 +0000 mmartinez 38@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>I'm excited that this could be a really promising bill, with the Governor and Assembly Member Hall providing bipartisan support. The administration and the bill author are still working on developing the joint use language, so we don't yet know what it will do. The bill will also be used to increase mandates for physical activity in PE classes and after school programs. Some really good opportunities here! </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/assembly-bill-2705-outlook-for-joint-use#post-37 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:17:00 +0000 hgehlert 37@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Hi everyone, I just saw that a new bill has been introduced that could make it easier for communities to apply for joint use funds. Does anyone know more details about the bill or its timeline? I'm curious to know how it compares to the Torlakson bill. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/state-support-for-joint-use#post-36 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:51:36 +0000 hgehlert 36@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>I just did a quick fact check of the stats I mentioned yesterday, and my #'s were a bit off. Still having trouble tracing the numbers back to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which appears to be the original source, but it looks like the number of kids who walked or biked to school in 1969 was 41 or 42%, not 50. In any case, the number of kids walking or biking to school has decreased at least threefold since then. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/state-support-for-joint-use#post-35 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:59:56 +0000 hgehlert 35@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Hi Jeff, good to see you at the joint informational hearing at the capitol building on Tuesday! I was stunned by some of the statistics (e.g. In 1969, half of all kids walked or biked to school; in 2001, only 14% did! yikes!). Before that hearing, I hadn't thought too much about how the location of a school affects so many other things in our daily lives, like how much we drive or how healthy we are. It does make so much more sense to position schools at the center of a community instead of on the outskirts, which seems to be the current trend. </p> <p>I got the impression that the panelists and legislators were in agreement that the quality and location of schools is a crucial part of having sustainable communities and that partnerships among sectors (enviro, transit, education, etc.) are needed. But I wasn't getting a clear sense of <em>how</em> we go from discussions to actually making these things happen. Sounds like one big hurdle is the 2/3 majority voting rule that you mentioned, which allows school districts to exempt themselves from zoning requirements. How big of an obstacle do you think that is? More generally, I'm curious to know what you thought of the hearing. Do you see reasons to feel encouraged? What was your take-away? </p> <p>Lisa, and Ana, I'd love to hear your thoughts too. Great to see both of you at the hearing as well! </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/joint-use-leadership#post-34 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:38:04 +0000 martin_gonzalez 34@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Absolutely, youth involvement is important. I can't speak to specific youth projects, but the more buy-in we have from different groups the better. As I mentioned previously, collaboration is key to creating joint use agreements, and those agreements are even more important in this sinking economy. The economy is wreaking havoc on schools, communities, families and children – only by coming together, breaking down silos and finding common ground can we create a healthy learning environment that will ensure all children have the opportunity to achieve success. To access CSBA’s <em>Building Healthy Communities</em> resource guide, visit <a href="http://www.csba.org/EducationIssues/EducationIssues/Wellness.aspx">http://www.csba.org/EducationIssues/EducationIssues/Wellness.aspx</a>. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/joint-use-leadership#post-33 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:09:47 +0000 hgehlert 33@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>I think an important part of developing successful joint use agreements is getting youth involved. Kids from all over the state are participating in video and photo projects to document the obstacles in their communities that keep them from going outside and playing. Youth leaders in LA are so passionate about the way the environment can hurt (or help) our chances of being healthy, they created a Web site called <a href="http://www.werefedup.com/profiles/blogs/joint-use">werefedup.com</a> that's dedicated to pushing for change. Getting those kids -- and their stories -- in front of policy makers could give joint use more traction. What other youth projects do people know about? Are there other ways to leverage youth leadership on this issue? </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/mark-your-calendars-joint-use-events#post-32 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:33:28 +0000 hgehlert 32@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>The Network for a Healthy California is hosting its 12th annual conference, "Partnering for a Healthy California," in Sacramento this coming February. It's a networking opportunity for public health professionals with a focus on new trends and research related to nutrition education, physical activity and hunger. The one-day event happens on <strong>February 8, 2010</strong>, and registration opens later this month (October). For more details, visit <a href="http://www.networkforahealthycalifornia.net/Conference/index.php">http://www.networkforahealthycalifornia.net/Conference/index.php</a>. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-31 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:29:46 +0000 mmartinez 31@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>In dissapointing news, Asm. Torlakson's bill did not advance out of the legislature this year. I'm hoping it can still be a vehicle for advancing this issue next year... </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/joint-use-and-video-voice-mapping#post-30 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:06:31 +0000 jelopez 30@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Young people from South Kern have been contributing to the "Building Healthy Communities" Planning Process, an initiative of The California Endowment, through a Video Voice Mapping Project. These youth have been videotaping themselves in places throughout their community, discussing the strengths of those places or how they feel such places need to be changed. They answer questions similar to Photo Voice about where the place is, what is really going on there, how it affects them and what they can do about it. The videos will be uploaded onto a Healthy Cities Map in English and in Spanish to help residents, policy makers and others gain a clearer insight into the community of South Kern and how youth want to contribute to making healthier policy and environmental changes in their community. Often a youth's point of view will provide a unique perspective on a place. For example, some youth chose to take video of open space below a long row of power lines. This location had suffered from a lot of illegal dumping but the local youth saw it as the perfect place for a long stretch of soccer fields. They wanted a place to play soccer when the school across the street was locked in the evening and on weekends, so they cleaned up the area on their own and even used discarded grocery carts as soccer goals. This hidden jewel revealed through local youth knowledge powerfully demonstrated their desire for a place where they could be physically active and drove them to make their own positive community change. For more information on the Video Voice Mapping Project contact Jennifer Lopez at 661-205-3743. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/how-the-media-report-on-joint-use#post-29 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:09:13 +0000 Lori Dorfman 29@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>All good questions, Jane. </p> <p>I think we need to do two things. First, it's up to us to create news that reporters want to cover. Don Hewitt, creator of 60 Minutes, used to say, "Reporters don't tell issues. They tell stories." So that's number one. </p> <p>The second thing we need to do is build relationships with reporters. Joint use is a local issue, so it makes sense to get to know local reporters. Then, when we're ready to pitch a story or respond to breaking news, the reporter we want to tell the story will know who we are and know a little bit about joint use. </p> <p>It might be easiest to start with the second thing: identify the newspaper or TV broadcast you want to see cover joint use; identify one reporter who seems likely to be interested (maybe someone on the education, health, or city hall beat); and then invite that reporter to lunch to introduce yourself and the issue. As you get to know the reporter, you'll get a better idea of what aspect of joint use will be of interest. When you know that, it'll be easier to pitch a story when you've got one. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-28 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:13:04 +0000 mmartinez 28@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Just a quick note -- the Torlakson bill will be up in Senate Appropriations Committee some point soon, so any letters or calls to committee members will help a lot! you can find the members here: <a href="http://www.senate.ca.gov/ftp/sen/committee/STANDING/APPROP/_home1/PROFILE.HTM" rel="nofollow">http://www.senate.ca.gov/ftp/sen/committee/STANDING/APPROP/_home1/PROFILE.HTM</a> </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/how-the-media-report-on-joint-use#post-27 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:07:57 +0000 jane_adams 27@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>I share an underlying frustration that the media is generally focused on "problems" rather than the "solutions." We won't likely read headlines that say "School Closes at 9:00 pm Due to Joint Use." The questions are how do we frame joint use as an issue that deserves to be covered in the media? What problems does joint use solve? Have we articulated that clearly? Do we need a media spokesperson - like the Boys/Girls Clubs? </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/how-the-media-report-on-joint-use#post-26 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:16:41 +0000 hgehlert 26@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>At Berkeley Media Studies Group, we monitor how the media report on public health issues because the news plays a large role in shaping public opinion and public policy. For the last two months, I’ve been monitoring both national and California-based publications for articles about joint use. The problem is there is very little news on the subject. Between June and July, mainstream national papers didn’t publish any articles on joint use. California papers weren’t much better. I found seven stories, two of which are no longer readily accessible online. Of the five articles still available, four were told from a financial perspective, typically regarding how much a joint use project will cost, with no analysis of whether it’s a smart use of resources.</p> <p>The articles also lacked any focus on physical activity or health even though joint use has strong ties to both. Reporters are clearly interested in writing about health -- the news is filled with articles about rising obesity rates, menu labeling legislation and health care reform -- but the media are missing the boat on joint use. </p> <p>Research shows that joint use can encourage physical activity by providing adults and kids alike with a safe place to exercise and play. This leaves public health advocates with a challenge to get joint use on reporters’ radars and show that it is more than a line item in a budget -- it’s a health issue.</p> <p>Has anyone seen articles that effectively frame joint use from a health perspective? If so, please share them! </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/joint-use-for-small-ruralisolated-communities#post-25 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:28:09 +0000 selizabeth 25@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>In me experience the local school is often the only<br /> facility in small rural and isolated communities that affords both<br /> open green space and indoor space for potential community use.<br /> Developing joint use agreements with small local school board poses<br /> some challenges that are less common in larger districts and urban areas.</p> <p>The task of developing a JUA seems initially formidable. There has frequently been<br /> no experience or examples to follow. There is in other words no local capacity.<br /> Small school districts may also be approached by non affiliated groups of residents<br /> who want a place to walk or a space to develop a Folkloric Dance Group. Such local<br /> initiatives are vital to a sustained effort to make neighbor hoods<br /> less obesigenic.</p> <p>I would like to see some attention to the needs of such communities and specific provisions made in State Policy that will encourage the full use of the investment we have in our local schools. Being dependent on private funds for the development of JUA is simply another barrier to the work that needs to be done particularly in small communities. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/state-support-for-joint-use#post-24 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:21:35 +0000 jeff_vincent 24@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>After 10 years of the current School Facilities Program (SFP) (the state program that funds the construction of new and modernization of existing school facilities in CA), it seems the time is ripe to revisit the structure and policies within the program. This could be particularly well-timed with a potential new statewide school construction bond in the next couple of years.<br /> Were this to happen, what would be three key state program and/or policy elements you think would best encourage and/or support expanded community use of our public school facilities? Particularly, ones that you feel would incent school districts to be energetic partners? </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-23 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:40:00 +0000 mmartinez 23@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Yes! Great news... the bill made it out of Senate Education Committee last Wednesday, but now the real battle will be to get it out of Senate Appropriations in light of the horrible budget situation. Get letters of support in on the bill as soon as you can by going to <a href="http://www.cpehn.org/issues.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.cpehn.org/issues.php</a> </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/mark-your-calendars-joint-use-events#post-22 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:49:43 +0000 hgehlert 22@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Hi everyone! Registration is open for the Oct. 5 School Wellness Conference on nutrition, physical activity, safe routes to school, and joint use. Conference is in Anaheim, Calif. Go to <a href="http://swc.csba.org">http://swc.csba.org/</a> for more details.</p> <p><strong>Know of another joint-use-related event? Post it here by replying to this thread!</strong> </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-21 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:24:06 +0000 Lori Dorfman 21@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Marty, is there any news on the Torlakson bill? </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/what-is-your-goal-regarding-joint-use#post-19 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:33:54 +0000 francesca_wright 19@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>I'm interested in learning who is participating in this web dialog. Are you working to advance joint use in your community? Do you have specific goals? Have you found allies? Have you identified obstacles or barriers? Please tell us a little about yourself.</p> <p>So me, you ask? I live in a town that is one of the leaders in the state regarding joint use, Davis, CA. My goal is to understand how UNDER-RESOURCED communities have ORGANIZED to open recreational spaces, and SHARE WHAT WORKS with others statewide.</p> <p>I believe its HUMAN CAPITAL that drives changing local joint use policies and practices. LEADERSHIP to build the case and address perceived barriers. </p> <p>Schools and Cities are in financial crisis. How do FINANCIAL UNDERESOURCED communities rally support? </p> <p>Tell us YOUR story! </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-18 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:43:08 +0000 selizabeth 18@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Jean Shin creates sculptures from cast away objects. She currently has a show at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. She said recently,"I'm attracted to objects that have the potential to be re-imagined differently from their current use or value in our society".</p> <p>For me this is the essence of joint use.</p> <p>Can we re-imagine a space or a place and see it being used additionally or differently?<br /> The vacant acres belonging to the school as a park? The empty lot as a garden? The vacated portables as a community meeting place?</p> <p>Some times it is as simple as it was for me. A community member said, "What about that fenced off lot at the elementary school? It has sat their unused for 25 years. That would make us a good park".</p> <p>Indeed! Creativity is about seeing the potential for what could be in what is.... </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/joint-use-examples#post-17 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:38:35 +0000 MJA 17@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>I was at a conference in San Francisco last week and was really amazed at all the different and creative forms of joint use that are happening in Daly City. The speaker, Mike Stallings, was just a fount of knowledge on how to build and nurture these agreements. He had joint use agreements worked out for just about everything from shared physical activity spaces, to parking, to a service kitchen and a greenhouse. It was so cool. Daly City is very diverse and his rationale: none of us has enough resources to do everything we want on our own so we have to collaborate. His definition of collaborating: putting his own resources in the middle of the 'table' and taking his hand away so that other partners can propose ways to partner and leverage resources that also meet their needs. I found it inspiring. He's really brought the concept to scale. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/joint-use-challenges-in-rural-settings#post-16 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:29:25 +0000 selizabeth 16@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>I will be on this page all next week and am particularly looking forward to discussions about joint use involving schools and other partners in the Central Valley and other (rural settings).. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/joint-use-challenges-in-rural-settings#post-14 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:10:23 +0000 cdiaz 14@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>This is an issue for us In Madera County, specifically for the community of Fairmead, an unincorporated area. Community members have spoken to the school principal and superintendent who seem somewhat open to the idea of an open campus, but have shared with us that the school board is concerned with liability. No one on the school board is from Fairmead, so we are challenged with having them understand the issues that Fairmead residents face. The youth will be doing a photo voice project in the community. We hope this will help the board understand their challenges to accessing a safe place to play. The kids have to play soccer in the streets because although they are surrounded by other people's farmland, there is no field for them to play. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/joint-use-leadership#post-13 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:36:18 +0000 martin_gonzalez 13@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>What does it take to build the partnerships necessary to develop and implement joint use agreements? For collaboration to work those involved need to believe that it will result in win-win situations; that it maximizes financial resources; that it avoids duplication of public facilities; that it enhances programs and allows for expansion; and finally, that it unites the community and presents a united community image. What do others think? Anyone have good examples of how this has worked, or difficult situations they've encountered? </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/joint-use-examples#post-12 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:02:32 +0000 samdavidson 12@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Hi all. I’m working to compile as many examples of successful joint use agreements for both the joint use locater on this website and the ENACT Local Policy Database on the Strategic Alliance website. We’ve found that sharing these examples and success stories are often invaluable at showing community leaders, elected officials, and school boards what is possible, as well as providing the technical details. I’m off to a good start but need your help! Does anyone know of joint use agreements that been successfully implemented? I’m particularly interested in identifying more examples from low income communities and communities of color. You can email me at <a href="mailto:sam@preventioninstitute.org">sam@preventioninstitute.org</a>, or post them here. It would be great to get a dialogue going here about the successes and challenges people have had with joint use. Thanks! </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/joint-use-challenges-in-rural-settings#post-11 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:29:41 +0000 gislas 11@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>I would like to offer another perspective on joint use — a perspective that makes more sense for those of us working in rural settings. Central California often conjures images of open farm land and what might be perceived as plentiful opportunities for recreation. But the truth is that we are just as — if not more — challenged in finding safe places for our children to play as any other region within California. School space is often the only green space in our rural communities. Therefore increasing access to that school space in rural settings is really essential to addressing the heart of the challenges we face in Central California. Joint use in rural contexts has to be defined as more than just joint use as a collaborative agreement between agencies but also collaboration between community itself and schools. What do others think? Are there ways we can increase public access to school space in places where partnering agencies do not exist? How do we build these collaborations with community members themselves? </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-10 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:14:48 +0000 mmartinez 10@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Great comments, Manal! I completely agree with everything. Just one thing I want to point out or clarify (since we're talking in part about the Torlakson bill)-- I don't know that the issue with communities not taking advantage of existing state joint-use funds is the complexity of the application process (though it could be simplified). I think it's more the fact that you can use the funds for only limited purposes. </p> <p>For example, under the current rules you can only use the money to build an indoor joint-use space, so no playgrounds. AB 346 would give communities more flexibility in using the funds, for example to allow for outdoor recreation facilities. </p> <p>I agree on General Plans. Keeping track of them and influencing them might be the long-term solution. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-9 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:02:42 +0000 MJA 9@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Particularly in this economic climate, I completely agree that allowing for community use of school facilities is a cost-effective way to bring physical activity opportunities within easier reach of more people. The question about what we should be asking for at a local, state and national levels is a great one and I would love to see everyone who subscribes contribute some ideas so that we brainstorm this together. Here are my ideas. At the local / regional level (in addition to the local organizing gislas suggested), I think we should be asking school district, city and regional government to do joint planning on a regular basis, so as new school facilities are being developed or existing ones are being renovated there is a place at the table for community residents and city planners to discuss how the facility can be developed and programmed with maximum use in mind from the beginning. Similarly, as general plans and regional blueprints are being developed, shared use of parks, playgrounds and school yards should be embedded in city and regional plans as a way to maximize the use of these assets. In other words, no local entities should be allowed to plan and develop in isolation; joint planning needs to happen up front and consistently. I also think that we need locals to exert political will to make sure that low-income communities and people of color get the very best in terms of community use of schools, parks and pools since they are most often living with least access to parks and open space. At the state level, my ideas are to work with the school facilities division to identify opportunities to facilitate and incentivize joint use, especially by severe need schools. Under the current formula, when joint use dollars are available, they are used to fund the schools that have applied for joint use dollars on a first come first serve basis, but if there was some way to prioritize or give an extra boost to schools in low income communities, we might be able to create greater equity in access. Some have suggested that the application process for joint use projects is complex, but I do not know this for a fact. Also, we may want to ask folks at the state school facilities to come out to our communities to do trainings on how to apply for these resources. I also think there might be a few things that the legislative analysts office or the office of planning and research (OPR) might be able to do to help us asses the economic value of joint use and encourage joint planning. For example OPR is responsible for providing guidelines to locales for developing general plans so they create complete streets (for bicyclists and pedestrians) and they could do this around joint use of public facilities. At the national level, especially absent funding for urban parks, we need to work with the folks at 21st century school fund and see what they are pushing for with the current administration. Thanks to their efforts, the stimulus package had some resources, including low interest loans for things like joint use projects, but since our state budget is in such a shambles it seems unlikely that there will be many or perhaps any like this. Let's keep this brainstorm going. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-8 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:26:57 +0000 mmartinez 8@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>Some other things I'd like to see at the state-level: 1. legislation clarifying that individuals (not just organized groups) can get schools to open their doors under the Civic Center Act and other statutes; 2. a statement from the Attorney General and/or California State Superintendent of Public Instruction clarifying their intent that schools should open their grounds for community recreation and that liability issues should not be a concern/hindrance. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-7 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:14:15 +0000 gislas 7@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>I'm convinced that giving community access to school space for play and recreation is an immediate simple solution to overcoming challenges in finding safe places to play. I believe that in order to affect change on a larger scale we need to organize community members to advocate locally for access to their school space as well as educate decision makers and help transform them to be champions for this effort. So on the last point and beyond asking for support on the Torlakson bill what else should we be asking for from our local, state and national elected officials? </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-6 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:37:10 +0000 selizabeth 6@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>I am aware of the Civic Center Act but wonder how many Superintendents and School Boards are familiar with the act's provisions.</p> <p>Some education at the local level would be so helpful on the major aspects of joint use. From my perspective there is a need for the State to inform and normalize this approach to community assets. Schools are critical partners but need support and help. Obviously the proposed assistance with accessing funds, in the Torlakson bill, is a great idea when communities reach the point of seriously considering joint use. At this stage, people in smaller communities are clearly put off because the concept seems foreign, complicated and beyond their capacity. </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-5 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:04:40 +0000 mmartinez 5@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>There are very few issues in which the state doesn't have a strong role, either as a creator of barriers or a supporter of local change. At the state level, there are tools that can be used to support local efforts. State statutes, such as the Civic Center Act, may be invoked to open schools up if the school is resistant. Also, a state program exists to help communities fund the creation of new joint use sites around the state. But the complex requirements for accessing the funding may pose a barrier to low-income communities successfully accessing those dollars. Torlakson’s bill — AB 346 — would ease these barriers. That's why it's important we get this bill through! </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-4 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:30:41 +0000 selizabeth 4@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>I thought joint use was a local issue. How does it look at the state level? </p> http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-3 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:42:01 +0000 mmartinez 3@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ <p>In so many parts of California, we see nothing but rows of stores, chain malls, and freeways galore. When our communities are laid out in ways that make pavement more accessible than park space, it’s not surprising that so many of us are having a tough time getting the exercise we need to be healthy. The problem is even worse in communities of color, where there is much less open space, so it’s even harder to be active. We know we need more sidewalks, more parks, more places to walk and play. The thing is, there's an immediate answer right under our nose: joint use, the idea that we can share spaces that are already there. If your community is lucky enough to have school grounds with green grass, jungle bars, a slide -- isn’t it silly to let those facilities go unused most hours of the week when they could be used by families and children? The smart thing to do is open school grounds after hours so communities can be more physically active. We can do this now by creating joint use agreements. At CPEHN, we feel strongly that joint use agreements will improve kids’ health in communities across California, especially in places that have the fewest resources to help people be healthy. That’s why we’re supporting a new bill from Assemblymember Torlakson that would make it easier for all communities to make the most of the resources they already have.  </p>