LEED for Schools, a green building certification program, provides a credit for the joint use of facilities. The LEED for Schools Rating System addresses the uniqueness of school spaces and children’s health issues and serves as a tool for schools who would like to “go” green.

Darrell Hammond, Chief Executive Officer of KaBOOM!, discusses the impact cities can have on promoting active lifestyles, increasing outdoor play opportunities, and strengthening neighborhoods. Joint-use agreements are highlighted as one of four creative and cost-effective initiatives to promote play.

Alliance for a Better Community is partnering with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to improve the process and coordination of  joint use agreements. The project is funded by Community Transformation Grants and is part of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s RENEW (Renewing Environments for Nutrition, Exercise and Wellness) Initiative.

The City of Greenwood, South Carolina has entered a joint use agreement with Lander University. As part of the agreement Greenwood made a $1.5 million investment into the Jeff May Recreation, Wellness, and Sports Complex, a recreation project of  Lander University.   The investment will be funded through a hospitality tax. Read more by clicking on the link above.

The City of Lodi and the Lodi Unified School District have shared recreational sports fields and facilities since 1969. Official joint use agreements, however, have not been in place since June 2009. At the Lodi City Council’s September 1st meeting adoption of an official joint use agreement will be discussed.

Two new ball fields and four existing fields will be shared by Andalusia City and Covington County in Alabama. City and county baseball and softball leagues will be able to share use of the fields as part of a joint use agreement approved Tuesday by the Andalusia City Council. According to Mayor Earl Johnson safety is a consideration of the agreement. Space between the fields will be closed off to traffic in order to make the park safer for children. Follow the above link to learn more about how the project will be funded.

In November a $50 million bond measure will be up for vote in San Leandro. Included in the language of the bond is reconstructing fields at several schools within the San Leandro School District. At a joint meeting of the city council and school board liaison committee, School Superintendent Cindy Cathey responded “No” when asked if the school district had the financial ability to operate sports facilities across the city if the bond measure is approved. A joint-use agreement between the city and San Leandro School District may be the only feasible way to operate the facilities.

Burroughs elementary school recently became the first elementary school in the Fresno Unified School District to adopt a joint use policy.  Thanks to the work of Susana Cruz, Adriana Figueroa, and other Fresno area women an agreement was met that allows the elementary school to remain open to the public during the summer. Check out how the joint use policy has helped the Fresno community live healthier and more active lives.

California Project LEAN and the California Department of Public Health have released a Request for Applications to fund school district work on implementing and adopting joint use policy. Schools, school districts, county offices of education, community-based organizations, and non-profits may apply. Grant applications are due on Friday, August 27th by 5:00pm. For information on how to apply or to obtain an application please contact Laura Rubin by e-mail at laura.rubin@cdph.ca.gov or by phone at 916-445-2974 or contact Joanne Gooley by e-mail at Joanne.gooley@cdph.ca.gov or by phone at 916-449-5294.

Former NFL football player Zeph Lee, now a South Los Angeles physical education instructor, explores how an active lifestyle can be learned in school and the positive impact exercise has on academic performance. Lee also talks about how opening up school facilities to the public fosters community, especially in low-income areas lacking safe open spaces. “The Inner City Outside” video (Funded by The California Endowment with Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Program) available through link