around such plans. While hardly anyone would debate that the school district is overburdened and underfunded, no one is asking schools to provide their facilities for free. Joint-use entities assume liability for damages that occur during their portion of use. Agreements are also commonly coupled with incentives like facility upgrades and greening projects.
I helped open a pilot Community School Parks site at Open Magnet Charter School in East Westchester. After working with a group of parents to identify funding and win the principal’s approval,Parents were elated. Their children no longer had to learn to ride bikes in the Ralphs parking lot. Families could meet at the park instead of scheduling playdates in their backyards. While East Westchester is park-poor, it’s worth noting that it’s a relatively affluent community.
Despite bureaucratic setbacks, the momentum for Community School Parks continues to grow. As recently as June 23, the L.A. City Council