About Playful City USA



PLAYFUL CITY USA 2017 COMMUNITY TOOLKITKey MessagesUse the information below as you help spread the word about your Playful City USA recognition and encourage conversations around the importance of putting kids first in your community.About Playful City USAPlayful City USA honors cities and towns across the country for putting the needs of kids and families first. These Playful Cities take bold steps to make it as easy as possible for kids to play, so they can learn, grow and develop important life skills.Through Playful City USA, national non-profit KaBOOM! recognizes more than 200 communities for making the commitment to put kids and families first, transform their public spaces to be more playful, and use play as a solution to the challenges facing their communities.The well-being of our communities starts with the well-being of our kids, and play is critical to their ability to thrive. All children, especially the 15 million American kids living in poverty, need easy access to balanced and active play.For 20 years, KaBOOM! has been knocking down barriers to play for the kids who need it most by building community-inspired, state-of-the-art playgrounds and mobilizing cities to bring play into everyday spaces.2017 By the Numbers258 Playful City USA communities4 million kids served14,000 playspaces34 new Playful Cities in 201712 Playful Cities are “Founding Cities” (recognized every year since 2006)States with highest number of Playful Cities in 2017: Florida (36), California (31), Arizona (17), Texas (17)Examples of Playful CitiesBaltimore, MarylandTo enhance the connection between schools and their surrounding neighborhoods, the Department of Planning launched a program called INSPIRE (Investing in Neighborhoods and Schools to Promote Improvement, Revitalization, and Excellence). This planning program makes recommendations on how to improve the neighborhood environment and improve quality of life for students, their families, and all neighborhood residents near schools that are being modernized through the 21st Century program.Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte is implementing open streets as a way to combat lack of play due to parent’s busy schedules. Families are encouraged to participate in a wide range of physical activity via the open streets program. This initiative has also led to a higher level of cross department collaboration within the City of Charlotte.Evans, ColoradoAfter facing a devastating flood that uncovered a landfill under portions of Evans's signature park, Evans faced the challenge of creating a safe park space and mitigating future floods. In collaboration with FEMA, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, and the EPA, the city is planning to not only restore the park, but design it in such a way that it will be less affected in the next flood event. Restoration efforts will begin once the re-design is complete.McAllen, TexasTo address busy schedules and parents' lack of time to prioritize play, McAllen is reaching residents where they are through the McAllen Swing and ride, located directly in front of the McAllen Public Library. The Swing and Ride, which received funding from KaBOOM! through the Play Everywhere Challenge, features a swing set, oversized musical instruments and painted sidewalks.Richmond, CaliforniaRichmond successfully combines policy, play, and community, a rare feat that's difficult to achieve in many cities. Utilizing their Health and Wellness plan, the city was able to integrate park improvements, complete street policies, and pop-up parks that would help eliminate major stressors their community members face.Key Messaging on PlayThe well-being of our communities starts with the well-being of our kids – and play is critical to their ability to thrive. That’s why city leaders and residents in Playful Cities come together to create great, safe places for kids to play in communities across the country. Together, we’re making it as easy as possible for kids with the greatest need to play, so that they can learn, explore, grow and just be kids. When kids play, we all win.In its 11th year, Playful City USA honors cities that are not only economically competitive, but can attract and retain families. Now more than ever, families want homes that are close to safe streets to walk, trails to ride and places to play. There is growing momentum to make cities more playable and family-friendly, as more people seek active and environmentally-conscious lifestyles.Here are key messages about play to support a thriving environment for kids, families and communities:Play Helps Kids and Communities Heal and UnitePlay is critical to help kids and communities heal following a disaster or traumatic event, as they deal with the stress of lost homes, lost loved ones, lost routine and lost normalcy.For kids, play creates a safe buffer against the adversity around them.For communities, play is something that everyone can agree is a good thing. It unites divided communities. It puts the needs of kids first.Playful Cities Are Prosperous CitiesWhen cities design places with kids and families in mind, they make play the easy, affordable and accessible choice.The cities that attract and retain families are family-friendly and kid-friendly, with opportunities to play everywhere family and kids already go.Play Is an Equity IssueToo many kids across the country miss out on the chance to play because of where they live, where they come from or how much their families earn.For the 15 million kids living in poverty – that’s one out of five – play is too hard to come by, as their families struggle to make ends meet.Low-income families and kids face many structural obstacles to play. For example, a lack of safe places, declining recess and physical education in under-resourced schools, and too much screen time limit play opportunities.Play Is Critical to Kids’ Development Science and common sense agree: kids need play to grow up healthy, resilient and ready for life.Play is the business of childhood and is essential to physical, cognitive, creative, social and emotional development.Physical: Play builds strong muscles and healthy bodies.Cognitive and creative: Play is vital to brain development. Play is how kids learn problem-solving, conflict resolution and creativity – in other words, the skills they need to succeed as adults.Social and emotional: Play is how kids make friends and build strong bonds with the caring adults in their lives.The best type of play for kids is all types of play. All kids need balanced and active play every day to thrive.Kids need caring and engaged adults to help them develop and grow. Play is a great way to make kids feel safe, stable and loved. ................
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