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DPR Media Contact: Gwendolyn Crump, (202) 288-6027, [email protected]
Washington, DC – Washington, DC is being honored with a 2016 Playful City USA designation for the third time. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the national recognition program honors cities and towns across the country for making their cities more playable. In recent years, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), along with the Department of General Services, has led a multi-year, citywide effort to renovate and improve dozens of play spaces to strengthen the District's commitment to using world-class, innovative practices to improve how residents and visitors work, live and play.
“We are pleased that the District of Columbia is being recognized for the third year in a row as playful city,” said Keith A. Anderson, Director of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. “The concept of play is important for developing creativity and healthy brain development in children. Play shouldn’t end with childhood. Play is an important part of maintaining a healthy balanced lifestyle for adults, as well.”
Communities across the country are creating innovative ways to bring back play and attract residents through family friendly activities. Interactive sidewalk art, designated play spaces on trails and the transformation of schoolyards into active play areas are just a few examples of how cities are becoming more playful.
“We are thrilled to recognize these communities that have invested their time and efforts to put kids first,” said KaBOOM! CEO James Siegal. “Balanced and active play is crucial to the well-being of kids and the communities that they thrive in. By integrating play into cities, the leaders of Playful Cities USA are working to attract and retain the thousands of families that want homes in close proximity to safe places to play.”
To learn more about these cities, see the full list of the 257 communities named 2016 Playful City USA honorees, or to gather more information on the Playful City USA program, visit www.playfulcityusa.org. We also encourage you to take part in the conversation on #playability with these thought leaders on Twitter and Facebook.
About DPR
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) provides quality urban recreation and leisure services for residents and visitors to the District of Columbia. DPR supervises and maintains area parks, community facilities, swimming pools and spray parks, and neighborhood recreation centers. The agency also coordinates a wide variety of recreation and educational programs including sports leagues, youth development, therapeutic recreation, aquatic programming, outdoor adventure, camping, and senior citizen activities. Adaptive programs and facilities are available for persons with disabilities.