Health Professionals Speak in Support of Shared Use Agreements for Ohio

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Latino kids often lack safe spaces to play. Therefore, having access to school gyms and  playgrounds during non-school hours can greatly help.

Jim Bischoff with the American Heart Association’s Ohio chapter believes that opening school playgrounds across the state is one solution to the lack of safe active spaces. He says that schools often have liability concerns which keep them from opening school property to the community.

Researcher Mary Chase, a professor of public health with Wright State University, says that keeping school facilities open is especially important in states like Ohio where children often stay inside due to cold weather.

She said:  “We have seen research in other states where several years after schools start opening their doors, we do see more physical activity happening, especially in certain populations – especially Hispanic populations, African American populations – that are already going to and from the school.”

Bischoff and Chase are hoping that school officials in Ohio will now make it easier to keep playgrounds open after hours.

Read the full Ideastream article here.