FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        

 

May 17, 2017

 

CONTACT:    Amanda Rogers, Director of Parks & Recreation

                      Email: rogersaa@owensboro.org        Phone: 270-687-8700

 

 

Owensboro Honored as 2016 Playful City USA Community

 

258 cities and towns recognized for putting the needs of kids and families first as part of Playful City USA program

 

National non-profit KaBOOM! is honoring Owensboro with a 2017 Playful City USA designation for the second time. Playful City USA honors cities and towns across the country for putting the needs of families first so kids can learn, grow and develop important life skills. These communities are transforming ordinary places into playful spaces and using play as a solution to the challenges facing their residents.

 

The 2017 Playful City USA recognition includes 258 communities from Richmond, Virginia to Richmond, California that make it as easy as possible for kids to play. In total, these communities feature more than 14,000 safe and engaging playspaces that serve more than 4 million kids.

 

The City of Owensboro’s commitment to quality of life initiatives and access to green space and play through maintaining a solid infrastructure of play opportunities that include multi-purpose fields; sports courts and sports fields; walking, biking, hiking and running trails; recreational facilities and playgrounds has earned our community this recognition and honor.  The recognition highlights our municipal leadership on the cause of play and the value of play for the health and wellness of our children, all residents and our economy.

 

As cities are becoming hotbeds for innovation, communities across the country are creating inventive ways to attract and retain residents. Playful City USA honorees are taking bold action to ensure kids have great places to play – all with the ultimate goal of making play the easy choice for all kids, no matter where they live. In addition to the playground down the street, Playful City USA communities are turning grocery stores, vacant lots, crosswalks and sidewalks into opportunities for play.

 

“We are thrilled to recognize Owensboro for putting kids first,” said KaBOOM! CEO James Siegal. “The well-being of our communities starts with the well-being of our kids, and play is critical for them to thrive. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that all kids get the childhood they deserve filled with play.”

 

To see the full list of Playful City USA communities and to learn more about making play the easy choice for kids, visit kaboom.org/playfulcityusa. You can also take part in the conversation with leaders across the country using #PLAYceforkids on Twitter and Facebook.

 

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For more information on programs, events or activities Owensboro Parks and Recreation has to offer, please call 270-687-8700 or visit our website at www.owensboroparks.org. 

 

 

About KaBOOM!

KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.5 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters and why cities are embracing #playability: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.

 

 

 

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