**please only sign if you are a resident of Broadlands, VA **

 Many families throughout our neighborhood have front yard tree swings. Recently the HOA sent out violations to all of these houses saying that the tree swings need to be removed; citing a rule that states playground equipment must be in the back yard. We would like to amend the rule, allowing for working (not broken) tree swings to be hung in front yards. 
 
The benefits of children being outdoors is well studied. With technology increasingly taking over, encouraging our children to play outdoors and screen free is important to their physical and mental health. Swinging in the front yard also promotes social interaction with neighbors and creates a space to make new friends. Many families with front yard tree swings either don’t have backyards, or don’t have appropriate trees from which to hang a swing in the backyard. 

This amendment to the rule “playground equipment must be in backyards” is requesting that tree swings in good working order (no broken ropes or frayed material etc.) that aren’t brightly colored be allowed to hang in trees in front yards. This amendment is specific to tree swings and no other play equipment.