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How playful is your city or town?

Playful City USA is a national recognition program honoring cities and towns that make play a priority and use innovative programs to get children active, playing, and healthy. Learn more about how your city or town can qualify for designation.

Facts about the 2013 Playful City USA communities:

  • 217 cities in 43 states
  • 16 Founding Cities are recognized for a seventh year as Playful City USA communities
  • 37 cities and towns have earned Playful City USA designation for the first time

What is Playful City USA?

Playful City USA, sponsored by the Humana Foundation, is a national recognition program honoring cities and towns investing in children through play. Recognized Cities and Towns make a commitment to play by developing tailored local action plans that increase access to play in their community. As a result, some of the most innovative programs and policies are developed and implemented in Playful City USA communities.

How does a city qualify for designation?

Playful City USA designees map local playspaces, complete a needs assessment, and develop and action plan that identifies a minimum of three policies, programs, or initiatives aimed at increasing access to play at school, in neighborhoods, and through community engagement.

 

Benefits of Playful City USA designation

  • Two Playful City USA highway road signs.
  • Connections to a network of city, municipal, and play thought leaders.
  • Access to on-line trainings and best practices and toolkits.
  • Playful City USA designation is embraced and highlighted by realtors, local Chambers of Commerce, Visitor Bureaus, developers and investors to highlight your community as a great place to live and raise healthy and happy children.

 

Playful stories from our cities

Founding City Spotlight: Shirley, Massachusetts

Posted by [field_author-raw] on October 2, 2012

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“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world… indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”

In Shirley, Massachusetts, citizens take Margaret Meade’s famous quote to heart. A Playful City USA Founding Community, Shirley has been advocating for play for 6 consecutive years! 

The movement for protecting play began 6 years ago. A group of mothers began walking together at 5AM, the only free time they had during the day. After talking about their neighborhood and children, the mothers decided they wanted more than just morning walks for their community and took action. Planning group meetings at parks and playgrounds, the mothers formed together to make the city more playful. Focusing on slowing down and good old-fashioned fun, Shirley brings small town values and volunteerism together to create a great place to play.

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Playful City USA Best Practices: Community Based Initiatives

Posted by [field_author-raw] on October 2, 2012

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On September 12, over 45 communities came together to discuss and learn about some of the best community based programs in cities across the country, designed with the goal of reducing childhood obesity. Learning from representatives from the Playful City USA Communities Azusa, California and Alexandria, Virginia, the group learned about innovative and effective strategies of cities partnering with private organizations to further promote play. Here are some of the key points discussed in the meeting and some helpful information links to help you further play in your community.

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Play for all abilities

Posted by [field_author-raw] on September 25, 2012

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Imagine having a playground in your neighborhood and not being able to use it. Imagine having to sit on the sidelines while other children laughed and ran around while you simply watched. The U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Educational Statistics note that one in thirteen children in the United States are registered in school as disabled. For over 6.5 million students in the United States, a regular run of the mill playground leaves them in the dust during recess or after school playtime. Fortunately, a number of communities designated as a Playful City USA are working to make sure all children have an inclusive and amazing place to play.

Fort Wayne: Fort Wayne, a Playful City USA community, is the home of Indiana’s first and only inclusive boundless playground. This 173-acre play space was completed in June of 2011. “Taylor’s Dream Boundless Playground,” was named for the 11- year old Taylor Reuille, who had the idea to build the playground after seeing her friend Mallory sitting off to the side during recess, unable to play because her school’s playground was not wheelchair accessible. Featuring three different pods of playground equipment, offering activities suitable for children ages 2-12, a splash pad, accessible ramps and walkways, a picnic pavilion, and accessible parking, this playground truly ties together the community. The video below highlights the playground on its opening day.

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