CHILD & YOUTH FRIENDLY Parks & Nature
These indicators have been compiled with a grading system to help you and your community think through aspects of child and youth friendliness in each domain.
A grading system allows you to recognize that (for most of these indicators) there are many steps between 'not at all child and youth friendly' and 'extremely child and youth friendly'. Your community may fall somewhere in the middle on many of the indicators.
For each indicator, try to grade your community out of 10.
1 being "Not at all child and youth friendly",
5 being "some positive aspects but some changes could be made" and
10 being "We are a leader in child and youth friendly practices".
This is designed to be printed and done communally.
FEATURES OF CHILD AND YOUTH FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
green spaces and wild undeveloped land are preserved
parks and open spaces are close to schools
schools plan recreational events with local parks and community organizations
parks and outdoor spaces are used for local events for children and youth, such as festivals
community festivals and events are offered that are readily available and accessible to children and youth, see also Arts & Culture Domain
community gardens are available where children and youth can plant, care for, and pick their own flowers and vegetables
parks and open spaces are available that offer children and youth opportunities to freely explore their environment
parks and open spaces provide children and youth with opportunities to interact with and manipulate nature (e.g., climb a tree, build a fort, dam a stream)
play features allow children to take healthy risks in play (i.e. are physically challenging, yet the consequences of getting injured are not serious)
water features are available and suitable for play (e.g., wading pools, fountains, man-made and natural streams, ponds)
play elements encourage adults to interact with children and youth
there are places for adults to sit and observe their children and youth at play
shady areas provide protection from the sun
water bottle refill stations are available in frequented public areas
water fountains are physically accessible for children
local policy ensures children, youth, and parent involvement in park design
park programs provide opportunities for youth leadership
staff and volunteers work in parks as play facilitators at key times, such as after school and during school vacations
staff and volunteers have training in first aid with an emphasis on emergency care for children and infants
staff and volunteers have training in child rights
staff and volunteers have training in child abuse/neglect and bullying
park departments have a system of regular safety checks
there is a presence of strategies that address criminal activities that target children (e.g., sexual exploitation through the sex trade, involvement in drugs and drug trafficking)
patterns of development keep heavy traffic away from areas frequented by children and youth. See also Transportation Domain
washroom locations are clearly marked and are easily accessible
washrooms suit different types of families and family compositions
change rooms work for families with children of different sexes and of different ages
change tables are accessible to both parents
washrooms are gender neutral
priority is given to child and youth programs in booking public spaces
OUR COMMUNITY IS
1- UNFRIENDLY 5- OK 10-A LEADER