(JollofNews) – Participation in youth sports plays a valuable role in the development of children. Aspects of teamwork, dedication, discipline, physical fitness, self-esteem, and fair play all contribute to the overall growth, maturation of young people and crime reduction.
We take this responsibility seriously and strives to offer quality programs which will aid in this development. Low self-esteem and a lack of confidence can plague young people, especially those with disabilities. Allowing them to have equal access to sports and recreation can enhance their gross motor skills, social and communicating abilities.
It will as well improve their overall health and well-being. Our youths will mature physically, socially and emotionally when participating in a recreational activity.
Our youth development framework addresses human needs for the healthy growth of young people, including competencies – knowledge, skills, behaviors, values – necessary for adult success.
We believe that human condition is improved as a direct result of experiences gained from participation in youth development programs.
We have a social responsibility to share in the creation of a healthy society and we have formed a unique plan to implement a youth development program.
The role we will provide in the development of youth and even our talented artists and musicians will offer a unique challenge that will help them grow.
We believe the development of meaningful, achievable and measurable youth outcomes is critical to establishing the foundation for the transition to economically viable society.
We will adopt an outcome management model when establishing youth development programs.
Measurable outcomes of youth development include behaviors, skills, knowledge, perceptions, and values that address youth competencies in the areas of health, physical, personal, social, cognitive, creative and vocational sectors.
Beautiful parks will provide gathering places for families and social groups, as well as for individuals of all ages and economic status, regardless of their ability to pay for access.
Parks improve the local tax base and increase property values. It is proven that private property values increase the value of privately owned land the closer such land is to parks. This increase in private property value due to the proximity to parks increases property tax revenues and improves local economies.
Quality parks and recreation are cited as one of the top three reasons that business cite in relocation decisions in a number of studies.
Parks are commonly thought of as the venue for fun and games,” but that is only one role they play in a metropolitan environment.
Urban parks, which broadly include parkland, plazas, landscaped boulevards, waterfront promenades, and public gardens, significantly define the layout, real estate value, traffic flow, public events, and the civic culture of our communities.
With open spaces, our cities and neighborhoods take on structure, beauty, breathing room and value.
Parks and recreation programs generate revenue directly from fees and charges, but more importantly, provide significant indirect revenues to local and regional economies from sports tournaments and special events such as arts, music, and holiday festivals.
Economic activity from hospitality expenditures, tourism, fuel, recreational equipment sales, and many other private sector businesses is of true and sustained value to local and regional economies.
Increasing the number of parks and recreational facilities in a neighborhood also reduces crime rates, especially among youth. By giving young people a safe place to interact with one another they keep them off the streets and out of trouble.
The need for more and better parks in our cities isn’t just about us. Each park has its own ecosystem. They provide natural habitats for many different animals. As cities grow, more and more of these animals find themselves without homes. Parks provide a safe place for many of those displaced by urban sprawl.
Parks are crucial to the healthy development in our city and should be a major part of any city planning going forward. Parks benefit everyone in the community. They benefit the economy and will help with our goal to increase tourism.
Public parks are often the “engine” that drives tourism in many communities. In a simplified tourism model, visitors use some mode of transportation to leave their homes and travel to attractions, which are supported by various kinds of services, such as hotels, restaurants, and retailing.
The attractions and support services provide information and promote their offerings to target groups they have identified as potential visitors.
Parks provide important habitats for many animals. And those are just a handful of reasons why we need to stand up for the parks in our communities.
Urban parks are dynamic institutions that play a vital, but not fully appreciated or understood the role in the social, economic and physical well-being of our people.
As we seek to attract residents and businesses, the center of this sweeping urban renaissance is newly revitalized parks.
They are not only safe and beautiful, but also serve as green engines to help address nearly every critical urban need from health to housing, to education and environmental justice, and countering sprawl to combating crime.
Truly, parks and recreation centers offer countless benefits to residents fortunate enough to have them in their neighborhoods. They serve as an affordable place for people to exercise, enjoy nature, and spend time with their family and friends.
Bakary Badjie is a mayoral hopeful for Kanifing Municipality. You can read more about his vision, policies, donate or join his team by visiting www.bakarybadjie.com
