Not every student is able to participate in school sports programs, but studies tell us that outdoor play and exercise help not only with physical health, but creativity, teamwork, and other skills. This is an argument made in support of team sports. But not all students get picked for organized sports, or even want to try out for teams. How can the school board contribute to finding opportunities for environmental education, outdoor recreation, and parks-related community service projects to encourage students to get off their computers and outside? And what are the connections between our parks and improved physical fitness of students?
We note that school track teams use parks and bike paths to train. Schools have built into the parks, on the justification that gyms designated as “community centers” are available to everyone for exercise and recreation, and therefore consistent with designated park land. Hoops, volley ball nets, and soccer cages in parks provide plenty of team sport opportunity.
We look forward to hearing other ideas from school board candidates. We have a few ideas of our own, listed below. We also want to hear your ideas, so share them on our Facebook page.
Things Parks Can do for Students, and Students Can do for Parks
- Include the history of the 1972 Flood and park legacy in the curriculum devoted to South Dakota history
- Encourage students to be Parks & Recreation volunteers as an option for community service graduation requirements
- Advocate for a student liaison position on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
- Organize school participation to work in nearby parks on Citywide Cleanup Day in the spring
- Explore potential to give physical fitness credit for miles of walking, biking, jogging on park trails
- Use park natural features such as fish, wildlife, and bird habitat to enhance science studies
- Share student art, photos or essays about Rapid City’s park system with the community through park-related social media
Join us on Thursday to hear what the candidates have to say. 6:30 p.m. The Journey Museum. See you there.