Joint-Use Agreements

Joint-Use Agreements are formal agreements usually between two separate government entities, such as a school and city, to share public property or facilities. These agreements can save money and resources for each entity and ensure that existing facilities and property are used to their fullest extent by the communities they serve. See below for example templates for different types of Joint-Use Agreements.
 
Examples of facilities that can be shared using Joint-Use Agreements include, but are not limited to:

• Parks
• Recreation Space
• Gymnasiums
• Parking Lots
• Libraries
• Performing Arts Facilities
• Meeting Spaces

 

Creating New Joint-Use Agreements
To facilitate creation of Joint-Use Agreements and encourage more of these agreements in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, below are joint agreement templates created by ChangeLab Solutions and a comparison of existing joint-use agreements in the region to the ChangeLab templates. These resources can function as a starting point for developing a policy by providing a menu of options and considerations for creating your own joint-use agreement. Sample provisions can be edited or adjusted as needed to fit each agreement's unique needs and situations. Additional guidance on creating Joint-Use agreements can be found below.

Comparison of Local Joint-Use Agreement Examples and ChangeLab Templates
Items that are in bold are found in both the local examples and ChangeLab templates.

	Standard Language	Facility Rules	City + ISD Responsibilities	Law Compliance + Liability
Local Examples of Joint-Use Agreements   [most applicable to other potential local agreements]	​   Effective date Citing state statutes Terms of the agreement Renewal timelines	No specifics on areas included in agreement (school grounds, etc.)	Basic maintenance and repair responsibility Storage agreements	Basic liability release
ChangeLab Joint-Use Agreement Templates   [may include items that local agreements do not require]		Specific sites are listed that are included in the agreement (playground area, ball field, etc.) Listed permitted uses of grounds	Maintenance & repair responsibility Storage agreements Access (locking & unlocking) Staff supervision Restroom access Parking access Custodial responsibilities	Law compliance clause Liability release Workers’ compensation Insurance requirements

ChangeLab Joint-Use Agreement Templates
Included in the ChangeLab resource are templates for:
 1. Opening outdoor school facilities for use during non-school hours
2. Opening indoor and outdoor school facilities for use during non-school hours
3. Opening school facilities for use during non-school hours and authorizing third parties to operate programs, and
4. Joint use of district and city recreation facilities.

Link to Joint-Use Agreement Template (ChangeLab)

Local Joint-Use Agreement Examples

• Dallas ISD and City of Dallas - Agreement 
  • Agreement for 25 Schools: Community after hours access and capital project collaboration
  • DISD, City of Dallas, and Texas Trees Foundation: Fundraising and support activities related to DISD and City of Dallas shared campus projects
• Little Elm ISD and Town of Little Elm: Agreement of joint-use for Town and District facilities
• Richardson ISD and City of Richardson: RISD and City of Richardson: agreement to collaboration for park improvements at Northridge Elementary

More Information & Resources for Joint-Use Agreements

• Shared Use Playbook - ChangeLabs
• Policy Framework for Joint-Use - Center for Cities & Schools
• Shared Use Fact Sheets - Safe Routes Partnership

If you know of other examples of joint-use agreements in the region to add to this web page, please contact Erin Curry.