It's Saturday---It's Play Day!

Saturday afternoon is the launch for Columbia's first annual Play Day event. A scavenger hunt discovering Columbia’s parks, a variety of games, and kids’ art projects are just a few of the hands-on interactive activities planned for the event in Bolm-Schuhkraft Park (known to many residents as the “city park”). The 44.5-acre park is bordered by Parkview Dr., Temple St., the Parkview Elementary School campus and the Columbia High School campus.

Events run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free and this will be a rain or shine event.

The event is designed to discover the fun, education and recreation available in the city’s many public recreational areas and playspaces. Envisioned as “A Day to Play” by organizers, the event will feature interactive stations that will introduce visitors to the themes and activities found in Columbia’s parks, many of which are little known--or completely unknown--to many residents.

Created and hosted by the Columbia Play Commission in collaboration with KaBOOM!, this year’s inaugural event is supported by Commerce Bank, Columbia Market, the Columbia Rotary Club, Pam Keevan Photography, the Kiwanis Club of Columbia, the Monroe County YMCA, Moonwalkers, Radio Disney, the Monroe County Economic Development Council, Traube Tent Company and the City of Columbia.

“It’s really just a fun afternoon to get out and discover our parks,” states John Traube, Chair for the Play Commission. “Our hope is that families and kids of all ages will come for the fun and leave with a better appreciation for where to spend unstructured afternoons year-round.”

KaBOOM! recognized Columbia this year as a “Playful City USA,” a national recognition honoring cities and towns across the nation committed to taking action for play. Columbia was the only community in the St. Louis metropolitan area so honored this year.

Have a question or urgent need the day of the event? Call the Play Day Hotline at (618) 410-0051.

Mayor Proclaims Sept. 19th as 'Play Day'

Last evening, Columbia Mayor Keven Hutchinson proclaimed Saturday, September 19th, as "Play Day"--making the municipal government an official sponsor of the first annual event celebrating play.

The proclamation read as follows:

• Whereas, play is a crucial factor in the overall well-being of children;
• Whereas, children who play are healthier and suffer less obesity and obesity-related health problems such as diabetes and heart disease;
• Whereas, children who play do better in school and develop cognitive skills that are linked to learning and academic performance;
• Whereas, children who play learn the social skills that help them become happy and well-adjusted adults;
• Whereas, research proves that recreation and exercise are important to the physical and mental health of citizens of all ages;
• Whereas, a diverse and dynamic parks and recreation program is considered a key element of local quality of life; and
• Whereas, the City of Columbia has previously endorsed the National Campaign for Play, established a Play Commission and been designated a “Playful City USA”;
  
  NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kevin B. Hutchinson, Mayor of the City of Columbia, proclaim the 19th of September 2009 to be “Play Day” in Columbia and invite our citizens to participate in activities recognizing that day.

John Traube, chair for the Play Commission, and other members of that group were on hand to receive the proclamation along with applause from the City Council and other citizens present at the meeting. After that moment in the limelight, the group retired to another meeting room in City Hall to finish their next-to-final planning meeting prior to the big event.