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This little passage can shine a light on how to reverse engineer these spaces now.
1) the trust in safety adults felt for children came from a "close-knit" community. We have that, of sorts, with high density housing complexes. I see it every day where I live - kids play outside when given opportunity & captive audience. They have screens - they choose play.
2) proximity. It must be close. Close enough you can hear it, see it daily, walk past on way to and from home. Not a bus or car ride away, or riding a bike down traffic-filled roads. Has to be in or very near the high density housing.
3) we have the existing footprints out there, WITHIN or close to high density housing. Retro-fit existing courts with fencing and small goals on posts to maximize efficiency for play opportunities for all.
City planning plays a major role here now.
City planning plays a major role here now.
If we are serious about combating childhood inactivity and the denial of opportunities for skill building in "soft skills" (self-regulation, self-governance, resilience), improving the movement skills of children for better societal outcomes (not just sporting), then we must act.
