Shared-use partnerships for schools and governments, organizations and the public for use of recreational facilities after school hours.

              INTERIM STUDY REPORT
Judiciary Committee
Rep. Fred Jordan, Chairman
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Interim Study 11-090, Rep. Don Armes
October 18, 2011
Shared-Use partnerships for schools and governments, organizations and the public for use of
recreational facilities after school hours
Representative Don Armes
• Traditionally, schools are reluctant to offer their baseball field or other recreational facility to
organizations after hours because they are worried about liability.
Marilyn Davidson, Government Relations Director
American Heart Association
• Shared use agreements allow organizations other than the school districts to use the school
recreational facilities.
• The agreements offer the schools an extra level of protection. The contact between the school
district and the organization will cover details regarding dates, times, and equipment needed.
Issues addressing liability, ownership, and cost are also covered in the contract.
• The agreements would address protection against vandalism and wear-and-tear. It spells out
who will be liable for any damage done during the time the organization is using the property.
• Believes shared use agreements provide for better utilization of tax payer dollars.
See presentation a
Abigail Pulver, Outpatient Dietitian
OU Medical Center
• Gave an overview of how exercise correlates with healthy children.
• Healthy weight loss in children cannot be achieved with diet alone.
• Many communities do not have a safe, available place for children to exercise.
Stephanie Canada, Professor
East Central University
• The school has a shared-use agreement in place with the Will Rodgers playground. Part of the
agreement included the City of Shawnee building a walking track with the playground.
• The City of Shawnee has also looked at other school sites to see if they should build tracks at
those playgrounds as well.
• Agrees that there is no place for kids to go after school to facilitate active lifestyles. Without
shared public space, there are little options or access.
• Oklahoma needs to strive to be listed as a healthy state. Shared-use is a good start to make
these changes.