Recess! Community Play Boxes

Sprout

Neil Place

Planted this seed

Chattanooga has great parks, courts, and green spaces that invite people to move, play, and connect outdoors. However, many people arrive at these spaces without the equipment needed to use them. A basketball court without a ball or a field without a frisbee often sits empty even when people are nearby and interested in playing. Maybe they just need a bit of an invitation! This project would install simple community sports gear boxes in selected parks and public recreation areas. Each box would contain shared equipment such as basketballs, soccer balls, frisbees, footballs, jump ropes, and other simple play items. Anyone visiting the park could borrow the equipment during their time there and return it when finished so that others can use it as well....

Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

This would be for anyone who wants to get out and play! Neighborhood youth, families, park visitors, students, etc.

Gardeners

Neil Place
Jeb Bennett
JK Willis

Roots

Be the Change Youth Initiative(not committed yet)
Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors(not committed yet)
Grateful Sports(not committed yet)
Kind Hearts Community(not committed yet)
The True Athlete Project(not committed yet)

Fertilizer

Sports equipment

Water

Storage boxes (materials to build)
More sports equipment
Volunteers
Installation materials
Park permission

Budget estimate

This would likely cost $500-$800 per box, so for 4-6 parks/public use spaces to start we would be looking at $2000-$4800.

Obstacles

One challenge is maintaining the equipment and ensuring the boxes remain stocked over time. To address this, the project could involve nearby community organizations, volunteers, or neighborhood groups who help periodically check the boxes and replenish equipment when needed. Another obvious and inevitable challenge will be equipment loss or damage. However, many community sharing initiatives find that when resources are clearly designated as community assets and placed in active public spaces, people tend to respect and care for them. And again, some equipment will inevitably be lost or damaged, but that is a small trade for creating parks that are more active, welcoming, and accessible for everyone.