Virtual Team Building Exercise

Virtual Team Building Exercise

My virtual discussion with my fellow classmate Jeannette Marcel has led to numerous conclusions regarding the recreational playgrounds at our neighborhoods. While we do experience shortage of playgrounds, some areas also require additional maintenance with financial issues being obstacles in many instances. However, if the play area is only equipped with regular slides and swings, would children with disabilities be able to use them? The answer is simply no.

As my classmate states, there are inappropriate and inadequate financial distributions. Therefore, some recreational areas are lacking the needed funding. To my knowledge, the City of Hollywood does have a tight budget when it comes to the recreational

areas. One solution to that would be addition of creativity. Take Philadelphia, which has recently passed a soda tax that will raise approximately $300 million for parks, libraries and recreational areas. This act alone is a big step. First, the goal of improving parks is reached. Second, the local government does a good job in promoting good wellbeing by making it more expensive to purchase sodas, which are so rich in added sugars and sodium.
The other part of the problem was introduced by myself. It is well known that play improves children’s emotional, physical, social, and cognitive levels. Paly areas provide important conduits for children’s general wellness. But what if a disability makes it difficult for a child to access the play area? Unfortunately, these children will then be excluded from visiting these areas. This logical decision of not attending these areas would be due to the safety hazard. Children with accessibility needs might not tolerate the noise, uneven surfaces, or absence of fencing. The decision to create “inclusive” playgrounds would solve the problem. Inclusive playgrounds which are designed for players of all abilities, have different types of equipment to meet any possible needs. Building or remodeling existing playgrounds has been on the trend over the past 10 years. From Orlando to Minneapolis, communities are able to find ways to pay for such projects, which could get pricy. Concerned parents often influence their local governments and organizations in order to raise such funds. Let’s follow these examples and make this happen.
The United States of America has historically been known for equality to all. By participating in this exercise, my classmate and I have examined two very important issues. We then came to the conclusion of appropriate funding methods as well as creating the areas that are accessible by all.