River Falls earns reputation for being playful
Today’s children spend less time playing outside than any previous generation, but 213 cities and towns, including River Falls, earned recognition from national non-profit KaBOOM! as 2012 Playful City USA communities for their efforts to increase play opportunities for children. River Falls is one of only two communities in Wisconsin to be recognized for this award.
Today’s children spend less time playing outside than any previous generation, but 213 cities and towns, including River Falls, earned recognition from national non-profit KaBOOM! as 2012 Playful City USA communities for their efforts to increase play opportunities for children.
River Falls is one of only two communities in Wisconsin to be recognized for this award.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play is critical to healthy brain development. It allows children to use their creativity while simultaneously developing imagination, dexterity and physical, cognitive and emotional strength.
Yet today’s children spend less time playing outside than any previous generation in part because only 1-in-5 live within walking distance of a park or playground.
The resulting play deficit is having profound consequences for kids physically, socially and academically.
Presented by The Humana Foundation, Playful City USA is a national program advocating for local policies that increase play opportunities for children and is a key platform in combating the play deficit.
KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to saving play, created Playful City USA in 2007 to help local governments address the play deficit and it is through mayors, city council members, parks and recreation departments, school districts and community leaders that the program succeeds in benefitting children.
The 213 Playful City USA honorees range in size from Orlando to Independence, Oregon (population: 9,607).
These Playful City USA communities are making a commitment to play and physical activity by developing unique local action plans to increase the quantity and quality of play in their community.
“Some of the most innovative concepts and cost-effective programs are being developed in Playful City USA communities,” says Darell Hammond, Founder and CEO of KaBOOM! “Cities like River Falls are key allies in the fight to combat the play deficit and serve as outstanding role models for government and community leaders across the country.”
KaBOOM! also selected River Falls for its outstanding dedication to play.
River Falls uses funds collected from a park land dedication fee for new housing developments to build new parks and purchase equipment in subdivisions.
The city and the school district also have an existing joint use agreement to provide additional gymnasiums for sports leagues and the public.
In 2011, River Falls dedicated three new playgrounds at Sterling Ponds Park, Highview Meadows Park, and at the Youth Soccer Fields/Golfview Neighborhood.
The city maintains approximately 274 acres of active parkland and currently maintains 16 playgrounds at 14 sites.
Tags: river falls, news, wisconsin
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