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