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Office of Communications and Media Relations | Jun 17, 2013
The City of McAllen was recognized with a 2013 Playful City USA designation today for its outstanding dedication to play. This is the third consecutive year the City receives this recognition by KaBoom!, the national non-profit organization dedicated to saving play. McAllen was one of 217 recipients of the nationwide designations.
KaBOOM! created Playful City USA in 2007 to help local governments address the "play deficit" by ensuring children in their communities have the space they need to play.
"Being able to play in a variety of ways, in a variety of settings for children is a key component to a community's quality of life," said Mayor Jim Darling. "Being designated a Playful City USA once again affirms McAllen’s standing as a great community to live and play in.”
Each of the 2013 Playful City USA communities demonstrated creative commitments to increasing play among children, utilizing creative programs and initiatives in an effort to provide youth the childhood they deserve and prepare them for their future.
Sponsored by The Humana Foundation, Playful City USA is a national program from KaBOOM! that celebrates and promotes local policies that increase play opportunities for children and is a key platform in addressing the lack of play among children. www.playfulcityusa.org.