Matt Bevilacqua looks at the ways in which communities across America are attempting to shrink the "play deficit" afflicting the country's children.
With the time children spend outside having fallen by half in the last thirty years, and only only one in five children living within walking distance of a park or playground, America's play deficit is having a profound impact on the physical and mental health of the country's kids. Bevilacqua spotlights one organization that is bringing attention to those communities taking steps to do something about it.
"'We have to turn the tide on the notion that play among children is a luxury,' said Mike Vietti, communications manager at the national non-profit KaBOOM!, which annually spotlights such initiatives. He emphasized that with play connected to rates of ADHD, childhood obesity and underperformance in the classroom, play ought to be treated as a necessity."
See KaBOOM's most recent list of the "2012 Playful City USA Communities" for examples of the types of projects, from mobile playgrounds to rails-to-trails initiatives, that are giving children more reasons to turn off the tv and venture outside.
FULL STORY: Shrinking the “Play Deficit”
A Case for Putting Kids First
Instead of "Bikers First!" or "Creative Class First!" James Siegel, president of Kaboom!, proposes an alternative for cities: "Kids First!"
Let Our Children Walk
Many Americans believe children should not be free to walk alone, because of crime and traffic. But children constantly driven around by their parents or locked away at home are also subject to significant risks.
Is a Little Danger Good for Playgrounds?
New research in child development is giving rise to playgrounds designed to build children's confidence in facing challenges and evaluating risk, Sumathi Reddy reports.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie