SCHOOLS: Let the children play

I’d like to ask why the local school district has chosen to fence off and lock up all the school playgrounds in town. From the Sorensen Elementary play structures to the basketball courts at Lakes Middle School, they are inaccessible to our kids during the summer — the very time when they should be out and playing, getting exercise and improving their skills. This seems odd given the much-publicized government initiatives to get kids active.

It’s understandable that the schools would keep these areas restricted during school hours, to keep the kids safe. But during the summer and weekends, it seems that they can and should be left open for all, to encourage local kids to play a pick up game of basketball, to turn off the X-Box and get outside while they can!

I am expecting to hear that this is “for safety” — I predict the real reason is fear of lawsuits, which is just sad. These are resources we pay for as a community, and they should be open for all community families to make use of when there is no legitimate reason to keep them closed.

TIM KRAMER

Coeur d’Alene