For the third year in a row, Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) has been recognized by KaBOOM! as a Playful City USA
for its efforts to increase play opportunities for children.
The City of Durham was selected
because of its outstanding dedication to play and its joint-use agreement with
Durham Public Schools to enable public access to additional play spaces. The
Board of Education and City Council adopted the agreement, which will go into
effect this fall.
“We are excited about receiving this
designation again this year,” said Rhonda Parker, director of DPR. “Not only
does it mean that we are doing a great job providing opportunities for our
youth to play, but it makes us eligible to receive funding for outdoor
recreation.”
Elsewhere in North Carolina,
Albemarle, Creedmoor, Greenville, Hickory, and Mount Holly were also selected as Playful City USA
communities.
The 151 Playful City USA communities
are now eligible for grants via Let’s Play - a community partnership led by the
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group to get kids active nationwide. The first Let’s Play
initiative is a $15 million, three-year commitment to KaBOOM!. Together,
through Let’s Play, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM! will build or fix up
2,000 playgrounds by the end of 2013, benefiting an estimated five million
children across North America.
Recipients of 2011 Let’s Play grants
via the Playful City USA program will be announced on Monday, Sept. 19. A total
of 103 grants worth $2.1 million are available to Playful City USA recognized
cities and towns between 2011-13. Grants range in values of $30,000, $20,000
and $15,000. The $30,000 and $15,000 grants are available for projects relating
to joint-use agreements and the $20,000 grants will be awarded to cities using
the community playground build process. Cities also are eligible to receive
multiple grants during the three-year period. Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, a
member of the leadership circle within the KaBOOM! National Partner Program, is
providing the funding for the grants.
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