一区二区91美女张开腿让人桶,日韩无一区二区,欧美国产日韩另类

Effort Under Way to Expand US Parks, Playgrounds

[ 2013-06-17 15:56]

字號

免費訂閱30天China Daily雙語新聞手機報：移動用戶編輯短信CD至106580009009

Public parks are important to urban life, but green spaces and play areas are rare in many cities. Many organizations and volunteers are trying to change that.

At the Environmental Charter Middle School in the Los Angeles community of Gardena, several hundred volunteers are building a play area, sanding down benches, putting up swings and slides, and adding a touch of green with shrubs and bushes.

“Everyone needs a place to play, no matter how old they are,” noted parent Jennifer Briseno.

Play lets the kids engage the world, which they can't always do in the classroom, added school principal Kami Cotler.

“They don't have those opportunities to play with sticks in the mud, and to learn the really powerful lessons you learn when you get to do that,” she explained.

The newly renovated Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has also brought some of its exhibits outdoors. Kids learn about insects, birds and reptiles in their natural environment, partly on the site of a former parking lot. It's part of a new focus, according to landscape architect Mia Lehrer.

“You can enjoy the gardens, but also learn something, if you are inspired to,” she said.

Los Angeles ranks far behind such cities as Minneapolis, New York and San Francisco in its public park space, according to a survey by the non-profit Trust for Public Land. The Trust's Jodi Delaney said outdoor spaces are important, especially for children.

“Many of them spend one percent of their time in parks," she said. "And 27 percent of their time watching television.”

Delaney said parks are also important for adults. They are places to relax, exercise and get in touch with nature.

She said Los Angeles ranked 34th in the national survey of cities and their parks. The survey ranked 50 cities by factors such as level of investment, the size of parks and access to parks in all neighborhoods.

“Where we could do better is a little bit on access, And the Trust for Public Land is actually working shoulder to shoulder with city and county officials to improve that,” added Delaney.

A charity called KaBOOM! is behind the school playground enhancements in the city of Gardena. The charity has built hundreds of playgrounds around the United States.

Getting the community involved is making a difference, said Vaughn Sigmon of CarMax, a seller of used cars. He brought 170 volunteers from his company. He said parks and outdoor spaces are important for children, and his company and its workers have pledged to build a total of 30 playgrounds.

“It's the best place to get fresh air, get some exercise,” he stated.

The school in Gardena now has a playground, adding to the outdoor green and play spaces that are so needed in Los Angeles.

相關閱讀

Russia's Putin and Wife Announce Split

Best of Broadway to be Honored Sunday

Words and Their Stories - Proverbs Tell How to Succeed in Life

Chinese Graduates Face Tight Job Market as Economy Slows

（來源：VOA 編輯：Julie）

中國日報網英語點津版權說明：凡注明來源為“中國日報網英語點津：XXX（署名）”的原創作品，除與中國日報網簽署英語點津內容授權協議的網站外，其他任何網站或單位未經允許不得非法盜鏈、轉載和使用，違者必究。如需使用，請與010-84883631聯系；凡本網注明“來源：XXX（非英語點津）”的作品，均轉載自其它媒體，目的在于傳播更多信息，其他媒體如需轉載，請與稿件來源方聯系，如產生任何問題與本網無關；本網所發布的歌曲、電影片段，版權歸原作者所有，僅供學習與研究，如果侵權，請提供版權證明，以便盡快刪除。