Lawmakers Reconsider ‘No Child Left Inside’ Act
from Scripps News
Imagine disappearing green spaces, empty playgrounds and children genetically capable of outsmarting the natural world. Hundreds of organizations and lawmakers across the country want to reverse what they see as a trend towards the virtual world becoming more popular for children than the natural one. In the coming weeks, the "No Child Left Inside Act," which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year, will be reintroduced in the House and Senate. Last year, Congress ran out of time to finish work on the measure. More

Get Kids Outside More Often and Watch the Stimulus Work
from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
We could improve children's health, reduce crime and build a smarter workforce simply by fully funding parks and recreation at every level of government. Sound crazy? Maybe. But sometimes we miss a simple solution when it is staring us in the face. More

Changing State Park Donations could Save Washington Parks
from The Olympian
Flipping the rules on a $5 donation program could keep dozens of state parks in Washington open for use over the next two years, but critics say it's a sneaky way to essentially raise taxes. Facing the possibility of losing $23 million over the next two years, the state Parks and Recreation Commission drafted a plan that includes closing as many as 45 state parks. If 40 percent of license plate tab renewals came in with that extra $5 for parks, the problem could be solved. More

Children with Disabilities Try Ballet
from the Record-Journal
Twelve young members of the New Haven Ballet Company in Connecticut recently held a session that was much more laid back than regular rehearsals. The dancers paired up with five children with disabilities for a free "shared ability" dance workshop.Participants made hand and leg gestures, mimicked movements, formed circles, swirled and leaped over imaginary ropes to music ranging from the acoustic pop of Jason Mraz to African music from Rwanda. More

Community Experiences 'Tons of Success' with 'Think Yellow, Go Green' Recycling Campaign
from PR Newswire via Interest Alert
The Lincoln, Neb., community has proven once again they have what it takes to "Think Yellow, Go Green" by recycling 1,200 outdated Windstream Yellow Pages directories, the equivalent of 6,000 pounds -- three tons of outdated directories. The month-long recycling program was supported in part by the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department. More

Man Proposes Plan for Homeless to Clean up Colorado Creek
from the Daily Camera
A former homeless man is hoping Boulder, Colo., officials will put homeless people to work cleaning the Boulder Creek Path -- an arrangement he says would result in a cleaner path and give desperate people tools they need. Hiring homeless people to clean the creek path just makes sense, he said. Many of them are already spending time by the creek -- and would jump at the chance to work, he said. More

Minnesota Friends Group Lobbies Statewide for Local Government Aid
from the Library Journal
In what leaders call an unprecedented effort, the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, Minn., one of the nation’s most influential and effective Friends groups, has taken its focus statewide to join in a campaign to fight cuts in Local Government Aid, a statewide fund that bolsters local property taxes to ensure that cities have sufficient police and fire protection, parks and recreation programs, libraries, and more. More

Miracle League Kicks off 2009 Season
from the North County Times
The Miracle League of San Diego kicked off its spring season this past weekend, giving dozens of special-needs children and young adults the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of playing sports. "Baseball is the vehicle to connect with the kids," said Dave Walker, a volunteer for the league since its inception. "Even though someone has a disability or a handicap, they still have certain qualities to give to the world, and you don' t know what they are until you are able to know that person." More

Video: Playground is a Spring Surprise for Philadelphia Children Thanks to Sponsors
from WPVI-TV
Although the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department has felt the pinch in these tough economic times, Mayor Nutter called for the business community to donate their time and money. On this first day of spring, some children in Philadelphia’s Feltonville section now have a new place to play thanks to the commitment of a local sponsor. More

Missouri Parks & Rec to Notify Residents through Text Messaging Service
from The Daily Statesman
Area residents over the age of 13 now have access to a notification system that will instantly notify them when a Dexter, Mo., Parks and Recreation event is canceled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather. In an agreement with the local newspaper, parents, umpires, and any interested parties who wish to be kept abreast of any athletic cancellations sponsored by Dexter's Park and Recreation Deptartment may now sign up to have an instant text message sent to their cell phone as soon as the decision is made to cancel an activity. More

Program's Goal is to Knock Down Barriers, Expose Black Youth to Swimming
from the Memphis Commercial Appeal
Last summer Memphis, Tenn., city pools opened to tragedy: two teens drowned on the first day the pools were open in June. Not this year, said Susan Helms, director of injury prevention and Safe Kids Mid-South at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center. What she convened as a water safety task force has become "Make A Splash Mid-South." More

Kids Put Their Stamp on Mission Trail
from the San Antonio Express-News
Visitors passing through two freshly planted gardens at the start of a new quarter-mile trail between Mission San José and the San Antonio River probably won't realize they were designed by a bunch of elementary and middle-school kids. But from the blackfoot daisies and rock roses down to the mulch made of crushed pecan shells, the pair of 200-square-foot gardens are the culmination of 12 students' monthslong study of South Texas' native plants. More