KaBOOM! has designated the City of Orlando, for the fourth year in a row, as a Playful City USA community, based on its efforts to increase play opportunities for children.
Orlando, which was selected for its dedication to play and its partnership approach, has 14 joint-use agreements with the Orange County Public Schools to use and maintain playgrounds and other playspaces. Such agreements allow the City to open up school playgrounds for public use during after-school hours.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play is important to healthy brain development and allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive and emotional strength.
Today’s children spend less time playing outside than any previous generations in part because only 20-percent live within walking distance of a park or playground.
A key platform in combating the Play Deficit is Playful City USA, a national program advocating for local policies that increase play opportunities for children.
KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization dedicated to saving play, created Playful City USA in 2007 to help local governments address the Play Deficit by ensuring their children have the time and space they need to play.
Playful but very racist