(Plain Press June 2025) Students from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District presented a proposal for a Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights to Cleveland City Council’s Workforce, Education, Training, & Youth Development Committee at its April meeting. The CMSD high school students, and Advanced Placement Environmental Science scholars from John Marshall’s School of Civic & Business Leadership, collaborated with City Council, the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, and the National League of Cities to help advance this initiative.

   On Monday, April 28^th Cleveland City Council approved a resolution adopting the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, which seeks to ensure that all children in Cleveland have safe and equitable access to meaningful outdoor experiences that support their health, education, and overall well-being. The resolution was sponsored by Council Members Brian Kazy, Stephanie Howse-Jones, Jasmin Santana, Deborah Gray, Joseph Jones, Charles Slife, Jenny Spencer, and Richard Starr.

   Adopting the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights acknowledges that every child in Cleveland has the right to: Breathe fresh and clean air. Recreate safely on the beaches and in the waters of Lake Erie. Play in clean parks, green spaces, rivers, and streams. Bike on safe trails in parks that connect the community. Hike and explore safely in nature. Walk along tree-lined streets in their neighborhood. Play in the snow, build a snowman, ride a sled, and throw a snowball. Dig in soil, plant, nurture a seed, and watch it grow. Engage and connect with their community at events in parks and green spaces. Bond with family and friends over an outdoor meal. Watch the stars shine bright during a peaceful night of camping. Learn in nature, building confidence to be stewards of our natural world.