A 2023 Aspen Institute State of Play Tacoma-Pierce County Youth Survey found that only 26% of children in our community meet the CDC’s recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
That number is alarmingly low.
Peninsula Metropolitan Park District is committed to being part of a solution to increase access to programming for children of all ages, abilities and income level. The District’s youth sports philosophy focuses on these three priorities:
- Everybody plays.
- The Joy of Being Active.
- Building Community.
Now, eight more fundamental “rights” are guiding PenMet Parks as it develops future opportunities for youth to play and be active.
At its regular meeting Sept. 22, 2026 the Board of Park Commissioners adopted a national “Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports.”
“We know there are children in our community that don’t have enough access to physical activity,” said Board President William C. “Billy” Sehmel. “It is our responsibility to be part of the solution.
“We are increasing youth access to no-cut sport opportunities, offering financial assistance so everyone can participate and offering high-quality programs for our community,” Sehmel continued. “We also added ADA accessible places to play like the Boundless Playground at Sehmel Homestead Park and the PenMet Parks Recreation Center.”
Developed by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play Initiative, the “Bill of Rights” establishes eight fundamental rights for young athletes. They include:
- The right to play. Organizations should make every effort to accommodate children’s interests to participate, and to help them play with peers from diverse backgrounds.
- The right to a safe and healthy environment. Children have the right to play in settings free from all forms of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), hazing, violence, and neglect.
- The right to qualified program leaders. Children have the right to play under the care of coaches and other adults who pass background checks and are trained in key competencies.
- The right to developmentally appropriate play. Children have a right to play at a level commensurate with their physical, mental and emotional maturity, and their emerging athletic ability. They should be treated as young people first, athletes second.
- The right to share in the planning and delivery of their activities. Children have the right to share their viewpoints with coaches and for their insights to be incorporated into activities.
- The right to equal opportunity for personal growth. Programs should invest equally in all child athletes, free of discrimination based on any personal or family characteristic.
- The right to be treated with dignity. Children have the right to participate in environments that promote the values of sportsmanship, of respect for opponents, officials and the game.
- The right to enjoy themselves. Children have the right to participate in activities they consider fun, and which foster the development of friendships and social bonds.
When children join a PenMet Parks team or activity, they learn the importance of teamwork, accountability, and learn what it means to be part of something larger than themselves.
“Sports should be about more than winning and losing,” said PenMet Parks Executive Director Ally Bujacich. “Sports are an opportunity for children to build confidence, develop relationships, learn teamwork and discover what they are capable of.”
PenMet Parks will use the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports as a guide for future program development, offering an opportunity to foster innovation at the local level, while putting forward intentional programming that meets community needs, Bujacich said.
“Adopting the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports reinforces and strengthens our commitment to our community that we will be an active participant in children’s health and wellbeing.”
What is the Children’s Bill of Rights?
The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports was created through the Aspen Institute’s Project Play with input from human rights and sports policy experts. It is endorsed by more than 360 organizations and 250 individuals nationwide. This includes national sports organizations like the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, YMCA of USA, National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Little League International, ESPN, U.S. Tennis Association, U.S. Soccer Federation, and government entities like the National Association of Cities and U.S. Conference of Mayors.
PenMet Parks was named a 2026 Project Play Champion earlier this year by the Aspen Institute, becoming one of just 20 local and regional organizations nationwide recognized this year for taking new and meaningful actions consistent with the Project Play framework.
With this recognition, PenMet Parks received grant funding from Project Play that it is using to host five “youth play free” days at the PenMet Parks Recreation Center. The days coincide with Peninsula School District no-school days, so youth have a safe place to come and play and be active. The free days are:
- Oct. 12
- Nov. 11
- Nov. 27
- Dec. 21
- Dec. 28