In partnership with our friends at United Way and sponsored by Aldi, a group of Regency team members recently helped install Born Learning Trails in Jacksonville’s Forestry Tower Park and Crystal Springs Park. As part of the United Way Born Learning Trails initiative, the installment included 10 interactive school-readiness childhood development games including engaging instructional signage marking an interactive learning adventure through some of our favorite local parks.
As countless studies show, play is much more critical to child development than we may realize, and experiential learning can be a huge part of that. “Young children have an imagination and inventiveness that helps them create new ideas, opportunities, and a strong motivation to connect and engage with others,” as stated by the Lego Foundation. “Play harnesses and builds on this potential.”
Fifteen volunteers and close to 30 hours of labor later, the Born Leading Trail installations created unique opportunities for United Way corporate and leadership donors, like Regency Centers, to actively engage and volunteer to create positive, tangible change alongside other dedicated members in our community. We look forward to future volunteer opportunities to come!
"This is my second year participating in United Way’s Born Learning Trail," said Stephanie Parisi, Regency Center's Assistant Marketing and Events Manager. "It’s incredible to see how the activities we create positively impact our community’s youth, and bring families together. While packing the supplies, I noticed families enjoying the games — complete with smiling faces. Each trail is the same, but unique in its own way which allows for future happiness and teamwork.”
Learn more about the United Way’s Born Leading Trails here.
Photo credit: United Way