Earlier this summer, after a year and a half long process that included input from Coalition members, an equity-focused consultant, and many hours of work between Coalition leadership and staff, the Coalition has passed a strategic plan to drive its work through 2024.

The team refined a Joint Use Agreement model to support shared spaces between schools, cities, and community groups, with a focus on collaboration and equity.

One challenge in advocating for play equity is the youth physical activity, sports, and outdoor recreation sector is decentralized. Youth physical activity happens across a broad range of other “sectors” including schools, parks and recreation, nature/environment, out of school time, youth development, and youth sports. Unfortunately, few of these other sectors view equitable access to and engagement in physical activity as a high priority. In fact, from a policy and funding standpoint, youth physical activity and education is often the lowest priority leaving it vulnerable to cuts from the very institutions - schools and municipalities - best positioned to provide access.

View the replay of King County Play Equity Coalition's webinar: How physical activity impacts mental health and why King County youth need it more than ever.