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 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:40:23 +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-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-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/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/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-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> 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-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/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/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>