If we want cities where all children can thrive, we need to create conditions where play is part of daily life, not something that must be scheduled or purchased.
One of those kinda-subtle policy things that seems to slip by communities.
Living in some pretty decent suburbs, I see this with my kids. They can walk/bike around, but there’s a limited set of activities available to them. Not enough parks. As the article mentions, not enough kid-friendly third places (stores, arcades, libraries, community centres). It’s lousy.
It only gets worse the older they get. Teens used to be allowed to hangout in Walmart, malls, etc. now, they’re often told to leave unless accompanied by a parent.
Living in some pretty decent suburbs, I see this with my kids. They can walk/bike around, but there’s a limited set of activities available to them. Not enough parks. As the article mentions, not enough kid-friendly third places (stores, arcades, libraries, community centres). It’s lousy.
I had the same complaints when I lived downtown.
It only gets worse the older they get. Teens used to be allowed to hangout in Walmart, malls, etc. now, they’re often told to leave unless accompanied by a parent.