Welcome New York WE Play participants!
WE Play! New York is next week-- are you ready for your fun-filled-super-duper-fantastic-out-of-sight day of learning how to build great playspaces and advocate for play?
Awesome!
If you haven't seen it yet, you can download the day's agenda here (PDF). In the meantime, post a message introducing yourself to fellow attendees, or post any questions you have about WE Play!. Let us know what's on your mind.
Yours in Play!
Jason, on behalf of Danielle, Erin, & Kiva (The WE Play! Team)
How do we advocate for play for children of all ages?
· Participation with community
· Letters
· Institutions/partnerships
· Trainings
· Create programming that fosters play among different age groups
· Mode l – Get out there and play!
· Provide/Advocate for play time and resources
· Audit community to see if there are age appropriate playspaces for everyone
· Provide for upper-body strength development exercises – motion, spin, basketball, climbing à basically pick up where the jungle gyms left off.
How do we keep the spirit of play alive in New York?
· Community involvement – get everyone involved in play!
· Availability - Ensure that playspaces are open and available rather than locked and hidden away
· Visit the Imagination Playground in a Box in Brownsville
· Be creative! – think broadly about spaces for play
· Ensure that playspaces meet ADA requirements with easy access
· Emphasize the need for play in the outer boroughs as well (Queens, Brooklyn)
· Start a Play Day
· Fundraise for Play Days or Playspace builds
· Invite elected officials/media for play dates
I’m working with a small play area. What are some space-efficient side project ideas?
· Imagination Playground (Playspaces in a box)
· Surface markings (Hopscotch, Four Square, Jump Road Spaces)
· Playground Associates to facilitate group play
· Spray Grounds
· Balance Beams
Where can we build/rebuild playspaces in New York?
· Harlem
· Bronx
· North Brooklyn
· School Yards
· Abandoned Spaces
· Indoor parks
· Distressed areas
· Near Senior Centers
· In community centers
· Building common spaces
· Ellenville
· Rooftops
· Near libraries
How can I utilize my space to get the most play value?
· Accessible to all ages
· Trees for shade
· Build in a safe and desirable location
· Engage all 5 senses
· Have adult areas alongside the playspaces
· Make it colorful
· Help kids take ownership (painting murals, planting areas, play sessions)
· Organized activities, special events and performances
· Community Involvement is a must!
How can we protect and maintain our playspaces?
· Cameras
· Community Partnership
· Keep it Lit and Active
· Delegate park associates
· Request law enforcement check the playspaces regularly
· Assign people in the local area to check the playspace for vandalism/misuse
o Community Watches
· Engage youth!
· Generate a sense of community pride in the space
· Train the community on maintenance
My community is trying to pressure owners of a private property (which must be dedicated to public use) to improve the space. Any advice?
· Join KaBOOM!
· Get advice from the community
· Ask for suggestions from the land owner
· FUNdraise; to raise awareness around the issue and help improve the space
· Offer volunteers for the work
· Contact political representatives and city council members
· Contact the media (if necessary)
· Contact others with similar experiences via the KaBOOM! forums: kaboom.org/forum
· Work with community members to generate a list of ideas on how to improve the space. (Make sure there is some variety in the expense levels, so the owners have options with which to work)
What businesses in my community could support a community-build project?
· Home Depot
· Supermarkets
· Schools
· Hopsitals
· Banks
· Landscape Architects/Construction Companies
· Restaurants/Retail
· Wholesale Clubs
· Dairy Farms
· Car Dealerships
· Safe Kids Coalition
· Pharmaceutical Companies
· YMCA
· Chamber of Commerce
· Fast Food Restaurants
· Libraries
· Local Lumber Yards
Mom & Pop Shops