U.S. Representatives Nikema Williams of Georgia and Don Bacon of Nebraska introduced the Prioritizing Lifestyle and Activity for Youth (PLAY) Act, which aims to create a federal task force to improve coordination among agencies responsible for youth and community recreation infrastructure.
Outdoor play is a critical activity for promoting better physical and mental health outcomes in children, but unfortunately, only 25% of children in the United States engage in the 60 minutes of recommended daily physical activity. And, according to the Physical Activity Alliance’s 2024 Report Card Physical Activity for Children and Youth, the United States received a D+ score, the same it had received in 2022. One of the main contributing factors to this score is that children do not have adequate access to the type of outdoor physical activities they need.
“Only 25% of children in the United States get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity they need for healthy development,” said Bacon. “I’m pleased to co-lead the Prioritizing Lifestyle and Activity for Youth (PLAY) Act to create a federal task force that will break down bureaucratic barriers and improve coordination among agencies responsible for youth recreation infrastructure. Our bipartisan legislation will help local governments, schools and nonprofits access the federal resources they need to give our children safe places to play and be active outdoors.”
The PLAY Act requires agencies to make specific recommendations to Congress on how to address other barriers to outdoor play that fall within the purview of the federal government. Healthy children and communities are vital to the American way of life and the PLAY Act is a critical piece in building and maintaining safe infrastructure for families across the country.
“As a mama, I know how important it is for children to have somewhere safe to play outside for their health and well-being,” Williams said. “Those spaces are far too few in communities—both in the Fighting Fifth and across the country—that are reeling from decades of systemic disadvantages and inequality. That’s why I’m introducing the PLAY Act, which would start breaking down the barriers to building the parks, playgrounds and recreation spaces that all children deserve.”
Organizations including KABOOM!, the Children & Nature Network, City Parks Alliance, Green Schoolyard America and Main Street America announced their support for the legislation.
“Thank you Representatives Bacon and Williams for introducing legislation that will help make our federal government more efficient and responsive to the needs of kids and their families wanting to enjoy playgrounds, parks and other close-to-home outdoor recreational facilities,” siad Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM! “As a nonprofit that works across public and private sectors to ensure kids across America can experience the joy and numerous benefits of places to play we know how important this legislation is to them as well as their caregivers, teachers and local community leaders.”
“Every child deserves a safe place to play and every family deserves access to nearby green space,” said Catherine Nagel, executive director of City Parks Alliance. “The PLAY Act helps break down the barriers that have kept too many communities from the parks and playgrounds they need to thrive.”
“Play is important for children’s wellbeing at every age, as it contributes to a happy childhood, brings children joy and relaxation in their school day, relieves stress, engages curiosity, helps them build social and physical skills and promotes friendships,” explained Sharon Danks, CEO of Green Schoolyards America. “The PLAY ACT will help address the critical physical and mental health issues facing children today.”