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Allentown Recognized as Playful City USA

05/19/2016
Allentown Recognized as Playful City USA

The City of Allentown is a Playful City USA community for the eighth consecutive year!

The designation, announced yesterday, comes from KaBOOM!, a national non-profit dedicated to saving play, in partnership with the Humana Foundation. Allentown is one of 257 cities and towns across the country; and eight in Pennsylvania to earn the distinction. In the Mid-Atlantic states, only York, Pennsylvania and Hamilton, New Jersey have been recognized more or as often as Allentown in the ten years of the program.

Playful City USA is a national recognition program that honors cities and towns across the country for taking bold steps that make it easy for all kids to get the balanced and active play they need to thrive. These communities are recognized for their efforts to create more playable, family-friendly cities.

Mayor Ed Pawlowski said, “I am very happy to be designated a Playful City USA community for the eighth straight year. We make improvements to our recreational facilities every year, like the new workout equipment at Jordan Park. I encourage residents of all ages and abilities to visit our parks and playgrounds and enjoy them as often as they can.”

“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.”

“This recognition comes at a busy time for us and it is great to see that our efforts are recognized,” said Allentown Director of Parks & Recreation Lindsay Taylor. “We are getting the pools ready for the summer. Before you know it, school will be out and our more than 100 year old summer playground season will be in full swing. I am especially proud to continue this tradition of engaging our residents in outdoor recreation, and I am very pleased to see the city receive this Playful City designation for the eighth consecutive year.”

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