(PLEASANTON, CA.) – A group of high school students from Foothill High School in Pleasanton and Garada High School in Livermore approached Pleasanton’s Parks and Recreation Commission on August 13.
This is not the first time a group of students has spoken up during a city council meeting, as students from Fremont attended one of their city meetings to advocate for a change in the minimum age to vote for school officials.
Here, they pitched their project, which is called Sport Stack.
They then took turns explaining their project and the different aspects of their plan and community outreach. Sport Stack aims to implement a box full of sporting equipment for the community to borrow while playing at a park.
“Our inspiration for this community project started off as friends walking around and realizing that the parks remained empty for most of the time. This isn't because people weren't coming to the parks, but because families would come to the park without sports equipment, so they would leave after a certain amount of time because there was nothing else for them to do.”
Photo Credit: YouTube / City of Pleasanton Public Meetings
Amenities such as basketball and tennis courts go to waste if people do not have equipment to play on them with, they stated.
In addition to solving this problem, they stated that Sport Stack would also encourage physical activity and provide a third space environment for the community.
They also mention that it will encourage the community to donate gently used sports equipment to the box.
After explaining their general purpose and idea for their project, one of the members shared the design they came up with for the box.
Made out of wood, the box features slow-closing hinges, rounded edges, and a weather-resistant finish. It would also be under three feet tall and anchored to the ground. All of these features are included in the design with the safety of children in mind.
Members affiliated with the project would also conduct weekly check-ins with the box to take inventory of the equipment, assess the condition of the box and its contents, and to interact with the community and gain feedback on their opinions of the box.
On the topic of the community, the group went on to explain that they were already able to test their idea at the Creekside Park in Pleasanton.
“Our very first test of the sports stack was in our very own creek side park and the response we got from the park visitors was extremely positive. [...] This project kind of connects people of all ages.”
Due to this success, they were able to implement Sport Stack with the Livermore Parks and Recreation Commission.
Photo Credit: YouTube / City of Pleasanton Public Meetings
Following their presentation, the commission was able to ask questions and make comments on their project.
The entire commission had a positive response to the project, with some questioning the group further about their plans and many others expressing that they should spread more awareness about the project through platforms such as NextDoor.
Some of the commissioners' questions included how the group planned on anchoring the box to the ground and how they intended to keep their project alive when they graduate from high school.
To the former, they explained that the box would be bolted to the ground using anchor bolts, which would attach to the wood of the box and drill into concrete.
As for the continuation of their project, they expressed their intentions of starting clubs at both Foothill and Grenada high schools. They explained that there is already interest in such a club among their peers.
They further expressed that once their group grows, they intend to bring Sport Stack to other parks.
If their project continues to be successful, it could come to parks outside of Pleasanton and Livermore, such as the recently opened park in San Ramon.
With all their questions answered, the commission made the unanimous decision to look into and consider Sport Stack.
Photo Credit: YouTube / City of Pleasanton Public Meetings
To add or correct any information in this report, please contact me at madison.v@lead4earth.org.
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