In this paper, the 21st Century School Fund and CC&S add to the growing conversation about and demand for joint use as a way to provide services to children and families in convenient locations, improve opportunities for physical activity by increasing use of school recreational and outdoor spaces, leverage capital investments, and more, we provide a conceptual frame for the joint use of PK-12 public schools. This paper establishes definitions for joint use and frames the basic challenges and opportunities for facilitating better conversations and planning for these type of collaborations.

Funded by the Council of Educational Facility Planners International, this study categorizes the types of joint use used by school districts in California. The report discerns the challenges and lessons in joint use partnerships and makes policy, procedural, and research recommendations to better support the joint use of public schools throughout the country.

The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF), 21st Century School Fund, and Center for Cities & Schools have organized a free webinar which will introduce a new joint use cost calculator tool that: 1) identifies the components of school district facility costs; 2) calculates the cost of owning and operating facilities; and 3) formulates cost recovery options.

This article highlights the work of the Chula Vista Community Collaborative, a group of neighbors and community organizations, who worked with the city and police department to make physical changes to a neighborhood park. The changes increased community use of the park and improved perceptions of safety. Joint use is another important strategy to support the health and safety features of a community. Increasing access to parks and open space invites participation, fosters a sense of community, and ultimately leads to a healthier, safer community.

The City of Compton, the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, and Mia Lehrer + Associates recently proposed a Master Plan for redeveloping Compton’s existing flood control channel and its adjacent land into a “safe, ecologically beneficial, multi-use, public greenway.” The Master Plan emphasizes a safe, livable, walkable, urban community. Because of its ability to increase open space and stream line costs,  joint use has been proposed as a major part of the plan. Check out how joint use has been incorporated into the plan by clicking on “Joint Use Areas” at the link above.

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.