Challenges in promoting joint use agreements: experiences from Community Transformation Grant awardees in North Carolina, Illinois, and Wisconsin, 2011-2014

Prev Chronic Dis. 2015 Apr 16:12:E51. doi: 10.5888/pcd12.140457.

Abstract

Community Transformation Grant awardees in North Carolina, Illinois, and Wisconsin promoted joint use agreements (formal agreements between 2 parties for the shared use of land or facilities) as a strategy to increase access to physical activity in their states. However, awardees experienced significant barriers to establishing joint use agreements, including 1) confusion about terminology and an aversion to complex legal contracts, 2) lack of applicability to single organizations with open use policies, and 3) questionable value in nonurban areas where open lands for physical activity are often available and where the need is instead for physical activity programs and infrastructure. Furthermore, promotion of formal agreements may unintentionally reduce access by raising concerns regarding legal risks and costs associated with existing shared use of land. Thus, joint use agreements have practical limitations that should be considered when selecting among strategies to promote physical activity participation.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Awards and Prizes
  • Chronic Disease / prevention & control
  • Community Health Planning / methods*
  • Community-Institutional Relations*
  • Contract Services / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Contract Services / organization & administration
  • Contract Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Environment Design
  • Health Planning Support* / economics
  • Health Planning Support* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Health Planning Technical Assistance
  • Health Promotion / economics
  • Health Promotion / methods
  • Humans
  • Illinois
  • Models, Organizational
  • Motor Activity*
  • North Carolina
  • Organizational Innovation
  • Organizational Policy
  • Public Facilities* / economics
  • Public Facilities* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Public Health Administration / methods
  • School Health Services / economics
  • Terminology as Topic
  • Wisconsin