By KRWG News
Las Cruces – For the second year in a row, Las Cruces has been named a Playful City USA by KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization. Las Cruces is only one of 118 communities nationwide to earn the designation.
Playful City USA communities are chosen for creating initiatives designed to increase the quantity and quality of play and playgrounds, while improving access to existing play opportunities. Communities large and small, urban and rural are part of the 2010 list.
KaBOOM! selected Las Cruces in part, for its outstanding dedication to play. A notable aspect of its commitment to children - the City of Las Cruces has hired summer recreation staff who promote and provide children with access to play.
Las Cruces was also selected for its number of usable, open play spaces that are engaging, exciting, interesting, fun and safe.
"Through the Playful City USA program, other communities across the country look to Las Cruces as a role model. These cities and towns will examine our best practices and look to replicate them in their communities," says Mayor Ken Miyagishima. "I take a tremendous amount of pride in knowing that what we're doing here in Las Cruces will improve the lives of not only our children, but children elsewhere as well."
KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,800 new playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America.