On April 5, OKUYAMA Masayuki seminar in the School of Political Science and Economics held “Minna no Koen Mini Rogaining” as a special event for the 5th Park Life Show (sponsored by the Tama Central Park and Tama Center Cooperation Council) held in Tama Central Park (Tama City, Tokyo).
The Park Life Show, which is an event where ideas for future park use and activities are put into practice, was held in conjunction with the grand opening of Tama Central Park.
OKUYAMA seminar proposed new ways to utilize parks and pedestrian decks (elevated walkways) by holding a mini rogaining* event mainly for families with children from toddlers to elementary school students. Mini rogaining is an activity to visit checkpoints set up in parks and pedestrian decks within a time limit. As part of OKUYAMA seminar’s efforts to promote the effective use of local resources, seminar members devised a treasure hunt event based on rogaining.
*Rogaining: A sport in which participants collect points by visiting checkpoints within a time limit using a map.
With more than 100 people participating in this activity, the newly grand-opened Tama Central Park was lively.
Comment from ISHII Sho (a fourth-year student, School of Political Science and Economics), OKUYAMA seminar
The event on the first day of the grand opening of Tama Central Park was filled with excitement. Through interacting with residents of Tama City, we were able to rediscover the true joy of community activities. I will continue to do my best to bring smiles to people’s faces through our seminar activities.
Comment from Professor OKUYAMA Masayuki
Tama City, Tokyo, is facing the aging of residents who moved into public housing complexes in the 1970s, as well as the deterioration of the complexes themselves. However, it also offers a rich green environment and a magnificent pedestrian deck, making it a livable place for young people. We will make the most of these resources to enhance the appeal of the town and work on suburban revitalization from both theoretical and practical perspectives.