Playful City USA 2009

This afternoon, the City of Columbia is submitting its application to be recognized as a Playful City USA in the 2009 round of designations. Playful City USA is a national recognition program honoring cities and towns across America that are committed to taking action for play.

By ensuring the prominence of play on the community's agenda, Columbia's leaders hope to reap the benefits that will result from happier, smarter and healthier children--and from a stronger communities. In addition, designated Playful City USA communities will receive highway signs, awards and special incentive opportunities in honor of their status, be included in a national media campaign and be provided local media support, receive priority status in accessing all KaBOOM! resources (including playground builds, trainings, and grants opportunities), be given access to online resources and communication vehicles to keep them connected to similar communities nationwide, and be recognized at national municipal leadership and recreation conferences.

Communities become designated as Playful City USA communities when they agree to meet five commitments--these will be reviewed in detail in this blog's next post.