SANFORD ONE OF THE NATION’S PLAYFUL CITIES USA

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

SANFORD NAMED ONE OF THE NATION’S

‘PLAYFUL CITY USA’ COMMUNITIES

 

SANFORD – Sanford received another distinction earlier this month, when the city was named one of the nation’s 93 “Playful City USA” communities by KaBOOM!, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing play opportunities for children.

In their announcement, KaBOOM! commended Sanford for providing “quantity, quality and access” to playspaces and recreational programs designed to improve childhood wellness, public safety and the overall quality of life – especially in a down economy.

The nonprofit based in Washington noted the city’s network of “pocket parks,” which provide play areas throughout city neighborhoods, as well as recreational initiatives at low-income housing sites and a neighborhood park plan being developed for East Sanford that will contribute more broadly to community development.

Sanford is no stranger to accolades. The Research Triangle Region community is regularly ranked among the top 50 small cities across the United States in economic strength by POLICOM, an independent research firm, having landed in the 40th spot this year. It also has appeared recently in Site Selection magazine’s list of America’s top small towns for business.

But the “Playful City USA” designation shows that quality of life in Sanford matters as much as raw economic progress.

“Sanford is a great place to work and own a business, but truly great communities reach beyond economic development alone,” said Sanford city manager Hal Hegwer. “We recognize how important these amenities are for the quality of life, and everyone in this community is making a real effort to bring accessible parks and playspaces to all residents, no matter where in our area they may live.”

Darell Hammond, cofounder and CEO of KaBoom!, believes the annual “Playful City USA” listings are important because children everywhere are hurt when communities don’t provide easily-accessible places to play safely.

“Sanford took a stand,” he said, “and determined that the future of their community – their children – deserve a commitment to the cause of play.”

The Lee County Economic Development Corp. is a nonprofit organization established to attract industry, enhance job opportunities and promote sound planning across Lee County. Funding is provided by the county, as well as the City of Sanford and Town of Broadway, the county’s two municipalities.

 

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Media Contacts

  Bob Heuts, Director

  Jane Haber, Administrative Assistant

  +1.919.774.8439   (phone)

  +1.919.775.5410   (fax)

  info@lcedc.com (e-mail)

More on the Web

  2009 Playful City USA communities by KaBOOM!

  Lee County Economic Development Media Relations

Sanford awarded “Playful City U.S.A.” Status

 

The following is an earlier post followed by an article written by Gordon Anderson of the Sanford Herald.  I posted both of these items representing the beginning of the “Playful City” idea and the presentation of the award.

One of the many interesting workshops at the Congress of Cities meeting in Orlando was “Building a Playful City.” This also seemed to be one of the most attended workshops.

A panel of five discussed the many challenges children face today that end up keeping them off the playground and out of the park.  Time spent on computers, video games, and television were high on the list of reasons not to play and exercise.  This was followed by the “I’m bored” with nothing to do story.  Finally, some of our youth are just plain lazy.

We were told that forty-seven percent of children in America are over weight.  It was also estimated that fifty-two percent of elementary schools across the country have tatally eliminated recess. 

One member of the panel told a story about the school his child attended.  The school was changing the menu in the cafeteria and planned on only offering healthier items. This would eliminate Sloppy Joe’s, etc. as a lunch item.  A public hearing was held on the issue and an over two hundred parents attended to voice their displeasure with this new plan

Several weeks later a public hearing was also held concerning the elimination of recess at the school.  At this public hearing, only two parents came to voice their opposition to this idea.  Seems that these childrens parents priorities are a little mixed up on what should really be important, I believe.

KaBOOM ( www.kaboom.org) is an organization that helps cities become “Playful Cities.”  Their goal is to have a safe place for children to play within walking distance from their home.  There are five requirements for cities that wish to be designated a “Playful City.” These commitments are:

1. Create a local play commission task force
2. Design an annual action plan for play
3. Conduct a play-space audit of all publicly accessible play areas
4. Identify current spending on capital projects and maintenance of play-spaces
5. Proclaim and celebrate an annual “Play Day.”

By becoming a “Playful City USA,” your city can receive grants, technical support, on-line resources, media support, playground builds, and more.  Most of all you will be letting your community that your are committed in making your city a place where children can have access to safe, clean play facilities.

There are only 67 “Playful Cities” out of the over five thousand cities in the United States. I believe Sanford should become a “Playful City USA.” We’re on the right track now with the new pocket park program.  This will take more effort, time and funding. I believe this type investment in our community and our children is long over due.

(end of first post)

City gets recognition for bringing back “play’

By GORDON ANDERSON
anderson@sanfordherald.com
Jul 16,2009

SANFORD — Sanford has been named by a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into the lives of children as one of 93 cities in the country that take innovative steps to making play a priority for the health and well-being of young people.

National non-profit agency KaBOOM! has named Sanford as one of its Playful City USA communities, citing the work of its “Play Task Force,” its development of “pocket parks” throughout the city and plans for parks in east Sanford.

“Sanford 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,” said Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! CEO.

Sanford Mayor Cornelia Olive said the city council is “delighted” to have the designation.

“We’re at an early stage of developing our parks and open space strategies so we are very pleased to receive this recognition of our efforts,” she said. “We continue to partner with Lee County for recreation programs but we’ve recognized the need for a city of 30,000 to be actively engaged in creating play opportunities for our children.”

Of the 93 communities named, five were in North Carolina. Other than Sanford, they are Durham, Greensboro, Greenville, and Creedmoor.

anderson@sanfordherald.com