North Carolina has identified joint use agreements as a critical strategy to increase physical activity among both children and adults.
State health agencies have an important role in promoting joint use agreements and providing the tools and resources necessary to ensure that local level public health, education and government agencies, boards, and community members have clear state-specific guidance. A strong, well-executed joint use agreement has the potential to provide significant benefits to schools, community members, and organizations, increasing access to playgrounds, running tracks, trails, sports fields, gymnasiums, and aquatic facilities, while sharing costs. A strong partnership with the state education agency is essential to expanding the use of joint use agreements, in addition to key partners that can effectively reach school administrators, local school boards, county and government agencies, and community organizations.
