What Happened?
One Illinois city has launched a campaign to improve local recreational options through significant investments from both the public and private sectors.
Goal
Edwardsville, Illinois, announced its Better Place to Play campaign, which calls for the creation of three recreational facilities to increase the options residents have for physical activities. The estimated $12 million campaign calls for:
- Spray-and-play park
- Ice rink/teen center
- Multi-use sport park
The new facilities will be funded with corporate sponsorships, grants, private funding and city dollars. Edwardsville received a $400,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and a $300,000 grant from the Meto-East Park and Recreational District to help expand recreational resources in the community. The Edwardsville Rotary Club has pledged $30,000, while the city is allocated $133,000 from the Madison County Park Enhancement Program, BND reported.
The spray-and-play park will offer an integrated design of outdoor playground equipment and water toys so kids can cool off during the summer months. The park will meet the Americans with Disabilities Act standards and come equipped with a walking and fitness trail, shade structures, pavilions and restrooms. The park is estimated to cost $2 million total and the city plans to raise $500,000 from the community along with $760,000 in sponsorships and $833,000 from grants, BDN reported.
The $7 million ice rink and teen center will be a 43,000-square-foot facility featuring:
- Indoor ice rink
- Four-lane indoor track and fitness center
- Teen center with study and recreational space
- Skate rental
The goal of the teen center is to offer local students with an after-school spot for studying, socializing and physical activity. The $7 million facility will be paid for through $2.8 million in grants, $2.34 million in corporate sponsorships and $3 million from community fundraising, BDN reported.
The sports park complex will house space and resources to host a variety of sports activities including baseball, softball, soccer, field hockey, basketball and pickleball. The $3 million project will be funded by $400,000 in grants, $1.67 million in sponsorships and $2 million in community funding. Not only will the complex improve quality of life for residents, but it will attract sports tournaments to the city which will boost economic activity, BND reported.
How Much Do Parks Matter?
According to a study from the RAND Corporation and the National Recreation and Park Association, less than 5 percent of adults, 9 percent of adolescents and 42 percent of children meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity. When people do not engage in enough physical activity, they are more susceptible to chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Low physical activity is also directly associated with depression which affects nearly 10 percent of Americans.
When communities add or expand their parks and recreation resources, the health of the local population improves in several ways:
- Providing a venue for physical activity to improve wellness
- Building collective efficacy – parks function as a nucleus of neighborhood activity to improve social interactions, safety and support
- Providing exposure to nature which is linked to greater ability to cope with life stressors and perform well in activities
One key component to the success of a park achieving the above goals is its proximity to key residential areas. When people live near a park, they are more likely to make full use of the facilities. Therefore, parks must be strategically placed near residential neighborhoods, schools and others community centers.
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