Opening School Grounds to the Community After Hours
A Toolkit for Increasing Physical Activity Through Joint Use Agreements
In many communities, where safe places to play are few and far between, schools offer a variety of recreational facilities – from gymnasiums and running tracks to sports fields and playgrounds – to meet residents’ needs. But districts often close their property to the public after hours, concerned about security, maintenance, liability, and 
other costs.
The good news is that school districts, local governments, and community-based organizations can share the costs and responsibilities of opening school property to the public after hours through joint use agreements. PHLP’s toolkit helps communities and school districts work together to develop joint use agreements increasing access to recreational facilities on school grounds.
You can review or download the entire toolkit below or choose a specific chapter or appendix of interest.
Note: The four California model joint use agreements within this toolkit are also available in editable versions on our website.
- Policy Area:
- Built Environment :
- Joint use
- Parks and recreation
- Physical activity promotion
- Built Environment :
- Model California Joint Use Agreements
- Safe Routes to Schools Talking Points
- Complete Streets Talking Points
- Joint Use Agreement 4: Joint Use of District and City Recreation Facilities
- Joint Use Agreement 3: Opening School Facilities for Use During Non-School Hours & Authorizing Third Parties to Operate Programs
- Checklist for Developing a Joint Use Agreement (JUA)
- Zoning Talking Points
- An Action Plan for Public Health: Initial Recommendations for Involving Public Health in Climate Change Policy
January 28, 2010
In the last few years, a new understanding of the built environment’s impact on health has brought the public health community and planners together to develop a variety of innovative land use policies that promote health.