Books have been packed up and report cards sent out. The school year is finally over.
But with the newfound freedom comes a perennial question: Whatcha gonna do this summer?
The city of Denver has answered that question for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of city children. Mayor John Hickenlooper recently announced that children under 17 could use city pools and recreation centers for free this summer.
It’s a terrific opportunity for kids to get out and play, and we hope they take advantage of it.
The benevolent move will cost the city an estimated $150,000 to $250,000 in lost revenue, said Scott Robson, the city’s acting parks and recreation manager. Some of that will be offset by increases in the number of paid adults accompanying children to the city facilities.
In addition, the city will need increased personnel to supervise the additional children.
But the additional expenditures, said Robson, are for the good of the city’s children. “We want to do whatever we can to build a tradition among families to engage in sports and healthy lifestyles.”
We’re glad to see the city creating policy with this goal in mind, particularly given the incidence of childhood obesity.
Recently released survey data gathered by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show childhood obesity rates leveling off. But with 32 percent of American children classified as overweight or obese, it’s still a problem that needs to be addressed.
This is the first time Denver has waived child admission fees citywide for a summer. This offer runs from now until Aug. 16. The city is hoping to receive grants to continue the idea in future years.
Hoping that every child’s summer is one filled with splashing in a pool or playing with friends is probably an idyllic and unrealistic vision. But it’s wonderful that the city administration has taken steps to make it at least a possibility for every child in Denver.
