Blog Post #1:
Asphalt Green
Interview With David Ludwig, Head of Community Programs
Monday, November 21st, 2016
On Monday, November 21st, my group mates and I went to Asphalt Green, a sports facility on 90th street and York Avenue, to interview David Ludwig, who is the head of Community Programs. David was happy to be interviewed. We asked him what kind of programs Asphalt Green provide for young kids. He said they did lots of programs, and he showed us a swimming class that was going on during our meeting. The kids were from different schools, and they come there to exercise, and learn how to swim. During the interview, I learned that many schools across the five boroughs don’t give the amount of Physical Education needed, which is 3 classes per week. That is why Asphalt Green set up these programs so the kids can get the exercise they need to refuel their bodies. Asphalt Green also sends coaches to different schools to supervise the recess to make sure every kid gets involved and gets to run around a little. David asked us if we wanted to go to one of the schools and help one of the coaches out during one of those recess periods, and we said we would love to do that. David always loves helping kids, no matter how he helps. He wants every kid to get as much exercise as possible.
This was our first fieldwork and we didn’t know what to expect. The visit inspired us to learn more about how sports can help kids during hard times. The programs developed by Asphalt Green provide opportunities for kids no matter their family’s income; every kid should have the right to play. David said that 40% of kids in the US don’t have recess. Since we attend a progressive private school, we have recess every day, physical education classes, and we play on sports teams. We were shocked to learn that so many kids in New York City and around the country to not get enough exercise and do not have the same opportunities as we do. We wanted to find ways to help those kids and to learn more about the specific physical education requirements that exist in New York State and the rest of the country.
