Contact: Brooks Mullane
Phone: 373-5868

Greensboro Named One of 93 “Playful City USA” Communities

GREENSBORO, NC – (July 14) – The City of Greensboro has been honored by the nonprofit organization KaBOOM! as one of the nation’s top 93 communities that has taken innovative approaches to making play a priority for the health and well-being of its children.

The award, called “Playful City USA,” recognizes communities that create and implement programs to positively impact childhood wellness, public safety and quality of life. KaBOOM! selected Greensboro for a number of Parks and Recreation Department initiatives, including encouraging neighborhood groups to participate in park upgrades by attending neighborhood association meetings, increasing the number of Adopt-a-Park participants, and promoting its Park Watch Program. Learn more about these programs at www.greensboro-nc.gov/regionalparks.

“Through the Playful City USA program, Greensboro serves as a role model to other communities across the country,” says Mayor Yvonne J. Johnson. “Other cities and towns will examine our initiatives and look to replicate them in their communities. This recognition is a true honor and all Greensboro residents can take pride in knowing that we are making a difference for our children.”

The KaBOOM! vision is to provide a great place to play within walking distance of every child. Playful City USA communities create best practices that enhance children’s well-being by increasing the opportunity for play.

“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. “Greensboro took a stand and determined that the future of their community – their 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.”

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The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2,700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body. For more information on the City of Greensboro, please visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.