Schools, Youth, and Parks Department Must Collaborate

The challenges posed are neither overbearing nor mysterious, and could be easily dealt with given the proper dedication and focus. What is needed is a task force—perhaps comprised of Parks & Recreation personnel, Youth Commissioners, members of the Student Advisory Council members, and SFUSD staff—to be formed with the goal of synchronizing their efforts to provide meaningful programs to its young people.

The problems faced are numerous. Overall, however, most problems are due to poor use of existing resources, rather than a lack of funds for such programs. Many recreation centers, for example, are notorious for being open during hours parallel to normal business days. The obvious problem is that students—and anyone else, for that matter—is occupied during those hours. Well over half of the recreation centers and clubhouses are operating roughly along these line, often closing around 6pm. This included McCoppin Square Clubhouse, which is next door to the large Lincoln High School, as well as two facilities in the troubled Visitation Valley.

Yet keeping such centers open longer is only half of the problem; the other side of the job is offering programs that youth will willingly participate in.

One area which needs attention from the School District’s side is athletics. Through middle school, youth have many options for participating in athletics. Anyone is invited to participate in team sports through the Park and Recreation Department, in addition to whatever is offered at their school sites. However, upon entering high school, these outside opportunities are cut off, and for the majority of youth not coached enough to make their school’s official teams it is the end of their participation in sports. Parks and Rec could greatly satisfy this need, and in doing so could provide hundreds of high school students with the benefits of being a member of a team and an alternative to uninspiring P.E.

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