In the first two decades of the 20th century, a cross-sector coalition constructed 2,000 parks and playgrounds in urban cities – laying the groundwork for youth sport as a tool of nation-building. The next wave of growth was propelled by New Deal investments that got more than 10,000 athletic and recreational facilities built. The third wave was aided by the Land and Water Conservation Act which between 1965 and 1980 got more than 40,000 facilities built. Now, the White House and Congress are mulling whether to spend trillions on infrastructure to help get more people back to work. If that bill were to include recreation infrastructure (new or revamped parks, fields, gyms, rinks, etc., plus trails and bike lanes), what would we want? And how to support the maintenance and programs that come with more places to play?
WATCH
PANELISTS
J.J. TIGHE
Director, Parks & Trails Initiative
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
RONDA JACKSON
Senior Advisor, Government Affairs
KABOOM!
JOHN BRIDGELAND
Founder & CEO
Civic
ANDREW FERENCE
Director of Social Impact, Growth and Fan Development
National Hockey League
TOM FARREY
Executive Director
Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program
RECAP
How national service could help college grads and youth sports
Imagine a United States where recent college graduates devote one year to national service – and doing so benefits youth sports organizations in the process.
ADDITIONAL READING
Read Tom Farrey’s vision for the rebuild
How KABOOM! works to increase access
Read recap of our last conversation
