KaBOOM!

By Jennifer Meyer
Muscatine (Iowa) Journal

WAPELLO, Iowa — Nature rolled out the welcome mat with some warm temperatures and ideal weather Sunday as about 200 people turned out for a new attraction in Wapello.

The Wapello Parks & Recreation Board held a grand opening for its new disc golf course at L.J. Thompson Park. Board members handed out discs to give residents the opportunity to check out a new nine-hole course. Disc golf is similar to traditional golf, except golfers throw discs that are similar to Frisbees at metal baskets.

“I just thought my grandkids would like to play it, and I don’t mind playing it,” said Vicky Bohnesen while walking the course with 10-year-old Keith Timmerman. [More]

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In order to continue the New Lenox Park District's message showcasing the benefits of healthy exercise and as a segment of their Playful City USA designation, the park district, with the support of local businesses, schools and the American Heart Association, recently held their Go Healthy Day of Play 2008. More than 100 people turned out to take part in the Go Healthy Challenge at Greenbriar Park. The overall mission was to encourage families to shut off the TV and unplug the video games in order to experience the benefits of play. [More]

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By KAREN GOVEIA
The Aurora (Ill.) Beacon News
Oct. 14, 2008

YORKVILLE -- Making play a top priority has earned the city national recognition.

Yorkville was one of 67 communities across the country recognized for their efforts in promoting childhood wellness, public safety and quality of life -- all through the power of play.

KaBoom!, a national non-profit organization dedicated to bringing play back into children's lives, honored Yorkville and other cities for their commitment to play by naming them Playful City USA communities. [More]

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By STEVEN GIRARDI
The Tampa Tribune
Oct. 9, 2008

Mayor Rick Baker, who has led the city since 2001, has been chosen America's Mayor of the Year by Governing magazine.

Baker, 52, was selected from than 20,000 mayors across the country for the annual award, which the magazine began in 1994, the city announced this morning.

Baker said in a news release he is honored by the award and credited city employees, council members, and business and community leaders for contributing to the city. [More]

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By Matt Elofson
Dothan (Ala.) Eagle
Oct. 4, 2008

Calvin Moore carried a bag of concrete one minute Saturday morning and swung a sledge hammer a moment later as he joined nearly 50 people in an effort to complete the city of Dothan’s second community build.

Moore, along with several neighborhood residents, members of the Dothan Police Department’s SWAT team and Dothan Fire Department, the Department of Leisure Services along with several other city officials worked for more than five hours to build a playground at Gussie McMillon Park. Gussie McMillon Park is located off East Burdeshaw Street near Shirley and Pryor streets. [More]

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And you can see it right here!

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Being nationally recognized for its parks and playgrounds, Coolidge is among 67 cities in the U.S. to be named as a "Playful City."
By Sean Higgins
Staff Writer
Coolidge (Ariz.) Examiner

"Coolidge has had some terrific ideas on how to increase play with kids in the community," said Mike Vietti, communications manager of KaBoom!

Cities must be nominated through an application process that explains what that particular city is doing to promote play. The applications are gone over by the KaBoom! staff and chosen by criteria set forth by the organization. Each city also must meet the five commitments to be considered, according to Vietti. [More]

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City recognized for its playgrounds, programs
By Dave Clark
Las Vegas Sun
Thu, Oct 2, 2008

Henderson has been recognized as one of 67 playful cities in the nation — a distinction heralding the city's efforts to promote playtime and playgrounds for children.

Henderson was the only community in Nevada to be honored by KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit group dedicated to bringing play areas within walking distance of children. In conjunction with the title of Playful City USA, Henderson will also designate Oct. 9 as "Get Out and Play Day," with activities at more than 34 city sites.

"One nationwide issue that can't be avoided is childhood obesity," said Tracy Novak, of the city's Parks and Recreation Department. "It's our desire to improve the health of children in Henderson and reduce the incidence of childhood obesity." [More]

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Idaho Press-Tribune
Sept. 28, 2008

NAMPA — A crowd of Nampa families took part in events Saturday to celebrate its recognition as a “Playful City USA” community.

Nampa Mayor Tom Dale dedicated nine pieces of new playground equipment in Lakeview Park designed to be accessible for people with special needs. It’s one of only two such playgrounds in Idaho. [More]

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New Lenox (Ill.) Patriot
September 25, 2008

Playing around is encouraged in New Lenox and the village was awarded for its spirited commitment to recreation this month when it was named a a Playful City USA for the second straight year.

Thanks in large part to the New Lenox Community Park District, the village was chosen as one of 31 founding communities last year by KaBOOM!, and this year garnered recognition again for its dedication to play. As a national nonprofit, KaBOOM!'s goal is to have a place to play within walking distance of every child in America. [More]

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