Bloomington Recognized as a 2017 Playful City USA Community

[image:19668,right]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2017

For more information, please contact:
Alison Miller, Health and Wellness Coordinator, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, 812.349.3771 or [milleal@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:milleal@bloomington.in.gov]

Bloomington, Ind. - Bloomington was honored this morning by the national non-profit KaBOOM! with a 2017 [Playful City USA|https://kaboom.org/playability/playful_city_usa] designation for the 10th consecutive year. KaBOOM! recognized Bloomington and a record 258 other communities across the United States as Playful Cities USA.

"I'm pleased that Bloomington is being recognized as a place of great recreational opportunities for the 10th consecutive year. Being named a Playful City USA acknowledges our efforts to provide opportunities for play and encourage fun to be a part of every resident's day," said Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton.

Alison Miller, Health and Wellness Coordinator with the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, said that, since last year's Playful City USA designation, the department has focused on creative ways to incorporate play into everyday life.

"Incorporating play into our everyday lives can positively impact our social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and overall wellness," Miller said. "Playing throughout the day, on the job, at school, at home, or anywhere, has an overall joyful effect, and everyone needs to do more of it!"

Fishers, Fort Wayne, Franklin, Greenwood and Richmond are Indiana's other Playful City honorees.

The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Bloomington's Playful City USA designation with a start-of-summer event at Bryan Park on Friday, May 26. [The "Summer Sampler"|Community Events] features live music by two different local performers, a Play Day celebration with free, active games from 6 until 8 p.m., and the movie "Finding Dory" at Bryan Park Pool at 9 p.m.

The Summer Sampler, Play Day, and live music are free to attend. Admission to Bryan Park Pool to see "Finding Dory" is $2 per person. The reduced admission rate is sponsored by Southern Indiana Scuba.

For more information about the Playful City USA program or how Bloomington became a Playful City, contact Alison Miller at 812.349.3771 or e-mail milleal@bloomington.in.gov. ###

For more information about the Playful City USA program or how Bloomington became a Playful City, contact Alison Miller at 812.349.3771 or e-mail [milleal@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:milleal@bloomington.in.gov].

###