Though the last time I posted an Earth Month Idea no one answered, here's another, which could be equally dumb but I've decided to try to get some policy/ideas going in the face of repeated threads in which people who likely agree on 99.9% of things fight via keyboard on this blog rather than via email...

Problem : FAIRMOUNT PARK'S LACK OF CONNECTEDNESS TO PHILADELPHIA YOUTH

Plainly, an unfortunate majority in our city does not use Fairmount Park the way we should and the way the park was intended to be used (though the contemporary mindset of the nation and the city at the time of the founding may not reflect my view as to how it should be used). Too often, vast stretches of the park lie dormant or are home to scheduled activities, meaning that impromptu enjoyment- people experiencing the park just for the sake of enjoying it- is almost non-existent. I believe the root cause of this lack of involvement is caused by a fundamental disassociation between large groups of Philadelphians and the park. Many view it as a place for others to play or somewhere to go only for special events. Others, especially young children, know little to nothing about the parks in their communities and even less about the larger, more-recognizable features of the park. In order to improve this disconnect, bring more Philadelphians to the park and instill a love of the city and of nature I propose a unique partnership, which will result in love for the park.

Solution: FAIRMOUNT PARK AS AN EXTENSION OF THE CLASSROOM

The Fairmount Park Commission partner with the School District of Philadelphia, Archdiocese of Philadelphia and other Philadelphia Schools to develop grade-school age curriculum supplements that use Fairmount Park to enhance learning in science, history, geography and reading.

? Along with a text focusing on the natural and scientific aspects of the park, the history displayed in the park complements elementary history lessons and offers ample opportunities for field-based learning.

? Looking beyond a yearly trip to the zoo, students who study Fairmount Park will identify with it. Along with this identification comes a better appreciation for the park and nature

? A comprehensive youth-oriented website will allow the students to enhance their education through interactive games, maps and other features

With its significance in Philadelphia and the world, Fairmount Park has assets unlike any other in the region. While Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell signify the historical achievements of our city, Fairmount Park trumps both as an interactive experience without long lines. Further, Fairmount Park serves more than historical inquisitiveness, as it is the seat of natural wonder within the city. As more and more youth are exposed to all facets of the park-those beyond the zoo- through learning and visits, more young people will grow up to treasure the park and use it. All at once, Fairmont Park is a laboratory of natural, historical and recreational learning. From statues and monuments saluting our past to the cultural traditions of today, Fairmount Park is itself a scrapbook of the city, one that needs updating as discussed below. It also serves as a constant reminder of the importance of nature in our lives, a point that is often lost on the residents of the inner-city. Despite the proximity to a majority of Philadelphia homes and communities, the Park seems hundreds of miles away from the lives of our youth. This initiative, a simple one, can bring the Park to the forefront of our neighborhoods and enrich us all.