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City receives 'A' on 2001 'kid-friendly' report card
Sunnyvale ranks 12th in child service, quality of life survey
By Amy Jenkins
The city of Sunnyvale was recently ranked the 12th most kid-friendly city in the nation among cities of comparable size, according to a study conducted by Zero Population Growth (ZPG).
The study, which looked at 239 American cities with a population of more than 100,000 people, aims to improve the quality of people's lives. Its goal is to alert people to problems and successes in their cities by publishing a "Kid-Friendly Cities Report Card."
"Every child must have the food, shelter, health care, education and protection from crime and abuse that he or she needs to develop into a healthy and happy adult," ZPG President Peter H. Kostmayer said. According to ZPG, the biggest impact on the quality of children's lives are access to good education, good jobs and good health care.
Cities are graded for "kid-friendliness" according to the quality of community life, economics, education, environment, health, population and public safety. Sunnyvale received honor-roll status, or an A+, in health, public safety and environment. Approximately 20 percent of Sunnyvale's 131,760 residents are under 18 years old.
The report examines cities in three categories--25 major cities, with populations greater than 2 million, 140 smaller independent cities with populations of 100,000 to 2 million, and 74 component cities (like Sunnyvale) with populations of more than 100,000.
Sunnyvale received an A+ in health because of a low percentage of teen births and low infant mortality rate. The small number of violent crimes and property crimes gave Sunnyvale an A+ in public safety, and with a low number of bad air days, the city received an A for its environment. With an overall grade A, Sunnyvale placed 12th among the 74 cities in the "component city" category.
Sunnyvale received extra credit for "The Fishbowl," a Saturday night entertainment program for high school teens. The teen-run program, which is reopening this month and showcases musical performances and poetry readings, is located at Le Boulanger on 305 N. Mathilda Ave.
The report card aims to encourage improvement among cities by addressing problems and challenges. Population growth-related problems include overcrowded classrooms, teen pregnancy and urban sprawl, .0Kostmayer said.
"The quality of everyone's lives can be improved by guaranteeing access to voluntary family planning and reproductive health services, by educating and empowering women, by reducing unplanned and teenage pregnancies, and by doing all the things we know work," he said.
Despite high grades on the "Kid-Friendly Cities Report Card," the city of Sunnyvale is making an effort to enhance youth and family services, said Sunnyvale's communication officer Linda Bagneschi. She said these efforts are a result of studies conducted in June of last year that determined the needs of children and families in Sunnyvale. The three primary gaps in services include--increasing access to affordable, quality childcare; increasing programs and activities for school-age children; and increasing access to health care.
According to Bagneschi, although the studies indicated most needs were being met, the two initiatives that began are focusing on what city departments can do to fill some of the service gaps and bring outside organizations together to address service needs. The city is leading an effort to explore a mobile recreation program that will bring fun and educational youth activities to various neighborhoods.
Preliminary research about which other cities have mobile recreation programs is being performed by Katherine Chappelear, management analyst for Sunnyvale.
Early this year, six community organization action groups formed to identify partnerships, foster networking, and encourage collaboration in order to address the gaps in services. The city has also consulted with school districts and community organizations.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
