Date: July 13, 2009
Contact: Kelly Irvin/210-207-6122/San Antonio
Parks and Recreation Department
Mike Vietti/202-464-6067/KaBOOM!
San Antonio is one of 33 cities across the United States recently honored with the designation of Playful City USA by national non-profit organization KaBOOM! for demonstrating a creative commitment to innovative strategies for making play a priority for the health and well-being of the children in the community.
Now in its third year, the Playful City USA program has honored 93 cities for creating and implementing programs to positively impact childhood wellness, public safety and the quality of life in three areas: quantity, quality and access. Prospective cities are required to apply for the designation and provide a structured plan for continued quality play opportunities in their communities.
“Our country is facing two monumental deficits: a lack of unstructured play among children and a lack of resources to address this very issue,” says Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! CEO and co-founder. “San Antonio took a stand and determined that the future of its community—the children—deserve a commitment to the cause of play. This is an investment in the future, not an expenditure and cities and towns across the country can replicate initiatives from these Playful City USA communities so that they too can bring play back into the lives of their children.”
San Antonio’s plan includes the continuation of an aggressive playground
replacement program; a continued partnership with the San Antonio Parks Foundation in seeking funding for new and replacement playgrounds; and a stringent two-tiered inspection program.
Last year, six new playgrounds were funded through a $600,000 Kronkosky Foundation grant. Additionally, a new playground was funded by U.S.A.A. and installed by its volunteer corps. U.S.A.A. will also fund and build an additional playground in the coming year.
The department has applied for grants to increase play opportunities at Panther Springs Park, Friedrich Wilderness Park and the Westend Park this year.
“We consistently seek new avenues of funding that allow us to create new play opportunities for children because we know how important play is to their physical and mental growth,” says Parks and Recreation Department Director Xavier Urrutia. “This designation by KaBOOM! will serve to further encourage us to continue our efforts as a leader in recreation for children of all ages.”
Other Texas cities with the designation include Corpus Christi, Euless, Killeen, Arlington and Grand Prairie. Applications for the 2010 Playful City USA recognition will begin in fall of 2009. The program is made possible through support from the Omidyar Network.
KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Since 1995, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,600 new playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America.
KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including an on-line community, free online trainings, grants, publications and the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play, which includes Playful City USA and Playmakers—a national network of individual advocates for play. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago and San Mateo, Calif. For more information, visit www.kaboom.org.
Comments can be sent to kelly.irvin@sanantonio.gov.