Breaking Physical Activity Barriers Through Open Community Use
Open community use, allowing free community access to schools’ outdoor recreational facilities, is an effective and affordable strategy to combating obesity and increasing physical activity. Since 2014, the South Carolina School Boards Association has recommended all school districts adopt the open community use model policy, which was updated in 2024 (See Appendix A. South Carolina School Boards Association 2024 Updated Model Policy). Many school districts are reluctant to adopt an open community use policy due to concerns with liability. However, South Carolina currently provides clear statutory liability protection for open community use of schools’ facilities for recreation. This document provides guidance to school administrators, teachers, and community members interested in adopting and implementing open community use as a strategy to increase physical activity.
