Independent Neighborhood Roaming for Kids

Mike Lanza, Playborhood.commike@playborhood.com

Do kids in your neighborhood roam on their own every day?

Do you think it’s possible?

I’ll show you that it’s possible.I’ll show you how to make it happen.

Agenda

THE PROBLEM INSPIRATION SOLUTIONS

Agenda

THE PROBLEM

Children and the Elderly Suffer Most From a Car-Centric Culture.

The Problem of Children’s Lack of Mobility is Inextricably Linked to Their Lack of Autonomy.

So what?

Independent Mobility for KidsStarts With the Neighborhood.

INSPIRATION

Neighborhood Family RoomDriveway Mural

Neighborhood Family RoomPicnic Table

Neighborhood Family RoomSidewalk Art

Neighborhood Family RoomFountain

Neighborhood Family RoomWhite Board

Neighborhood Family RoomSand Box

Neighborhood Family RoomPlay River

Family Family RoomCrappy Old Furniture

Street in Front of Our HouseLots and Lots of Laps

Nature HangoutOur Creek

NeighborsLots of Kids

NeighborsHugh, the Magician

Marco’s Village, Age 6Boundaries are Familiar Neighbors & Creek

Marco’s Afternoon, Age 7School to Barber to Bike Shop to Home

Marco’s Independent Mobility, Age 8

• Rides a vehicle 1-1/2 miles to and from school every day• Usually a bike, sometimes a scooter or rollerblades• With me to school, alone to home

• Rides a bike or scooter or skateboard or rollerblades on our street alone or with his brothers every day

• Visits nearby friends, neighbors, and our creek on his own a few times a week

• Runs errands to stores on his own about once/week

Nico’s Independent Mobility, Age 4-1/2

• Rides his bike1-1/2 miles to school every day with me• Rides a bike or scooter or rollerblades on our street

alone or with his brothers every day

South Bronx, NY

Play StreetSouth Bronx, NY

Play StreetSouth Bronx, NY

Burlington, VT

Playborhood for a Special Needs BoyBurlington, VT

Playborhood for a Special Needs BoyBurlington, VT

Portland, OR

Intersection RepairedPortland, OR

Intersection RepairedPortland, OR

Intersection RepairedPortland, OR

Intersection RepairedPortland, OR

Intersection RepairedPortland, OR

SOLUTIONS

Make a Neighborhood Hangout

Make a Neighborhood Hangout

1

What are the chances something’s going on right now?1

5 Characteristics of Neighborhood Hangouts1 • fun for multiple ages• comfortable• visible• accessible• critical mass

Claim the Street2

Place Attractions in and Next to the Street 2

Ask Government to Ban Cars From the Street 2

. . . Or, Just Occupy the Street 2

Make a VillageMake a Village3

All Neighborhoods Have Hidden Treasures

3

Do You Have a Magician in Your Neighborhood?

3

Ideas for Making a Village3- Play with your kids in your front yard or street- Knock on neighbors' doors- Walk and bike in your neighborhood- Run a neighborhood summer camp- Play a neighborhood scavenger hunt game

TEACH Self Reliance Skills From a Young Age

4

Make Regular Commutes by Bike or Foot

4

Give a Little More Rope Day-by-Day4

CHOOSE Commute-Friendly Alternatives

4

Frequent Friendly Local Retailers

4

Frequent Friendly Local Retailers

4

Send Your Kids to Your Neighborhood School

4

Walk the Walk6

6 There are More Important Things Than Saving 20 Minutes a Day.

No Excuses Parents Raise No Excuses Kids

6

Mike Lanza, Playborhood.commike@playborhood.com