4-H Making a Difference In Our Community ...

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California 4-H Service-Learning RFP

Building the tipi (left) and the finished tipi (right)

The Issue

Having community places where people of all ages can relax, socialize, and meet others are important aspects of community development. For children, playgrounds offer a safe place to learn and play where challenges, exercise, and opportunities for imaginative games are endless. They also encourage patience and consideration in children who may have to wait their turn to use the equipment. In addition, a playground can give parents the opportunity to relax and visit with other parents while watching their children.

What has 4-H Done?

The Visalia Parks and Recreation Foundation developed a project to build a playground in Visalia Riverway Sports Park that was accessible for everyone, including disabled children. The 1000 Hands Playground was designed from the imaginations of children, so it has many unique aspects such as an oak tree house and a Native American tipi. More than a thousand volunteers contributed to the playground.

The Visalia 4-H Club was one of the groups involved with this community pride project. In August of 2006, they submitted an application to the California State 4-H Program Service-Learning RFP and were awarded $2,500 to help carryout their project with the 1000 Hands Playground. Using media outreach, community resources, and fundraisers, club members raised the other $2,500 they needed to build the Native American tipi section of the playground. It is their hope that the tipi will spark the imagination of children across the county “to have ‘peace meetings’ and experience activities associated with the Native American dwelling” said Carla M. Sousa, 4-H Youth Development Advisor in Tulare County.

The Payoff

One focus of the California 4-H Citizenship Program is for youth to develop knowledge about principles, processes, and structures of government and develop leadership skills for active participation in government affairs. By attending the Visalia Playground Committee meetings, Visalia 4-H Club members learned about the city government’s organization of the project. They also took on leadership positions as committee chairs and sub-committee chairs, so they could contribute to the decision-making process.

The end result was well worth their efforts. The 1000 Hands Playground will help to create a more accepting local community where both children and adults can benefit from socializing with others from across the valley in a comfortable environment. “Our club wanted to leave a footprint in the community, and that’s what we’ve done.” said Nobuko Bairstow, Visalia 4-H Club Volunteer Leader and the Native American Tipi Group Coordinator.

Author: Claire Connolly, State 4-H Office Assistant
Posted June 2008
For more information, contact the Tulare 4-H Office at 559-684-3300 or cetulare@ucdavis.edu.

To submit a 4-H Delivers story, please contact the State 4-H Office at 530-754-8518 or fourhstateofc@ucdavis.edu.