Bloomington named 1st ‘Playful City’ in Indiana

Bloomington has been named the first “Playful City” in Indiana by KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit entity that encourages the formation of strong and healthy communities nationwide.
KaBOOM! facilitates community growth by providing assistance in areas of public policy configuration, resource provision and improved awareness for increased play opportunities nationwide, according to its Web site.
The granting of the title “Playful City” is an extensive process, said Sarah Nix, program and facility coordinator for the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.
Candidates desiring the honorary title of “Playful City” must first qualify for application by forming a play board, Nix said. A play board is comparable to an advocacy group that promotes playground and other recreational activities.
About 20 percent of the recreation budget is spent in the play-oriented genre, Nix said.
Finally, a proclamation is made by the play board, which entails various commitments the board is willing to make in order to fulfill the requirements of becoming a playful city as described by KaBOOM!.
“This is a great honor for the city of Bloomington,” Nix said. “It really highlights all of the wonderful things we are doing, and attracts more attention to what were doing.”
Bloomington being a “Playful City” will also increase activity in children and allow for opportunities in grant requisition, Nix said.
This added attention and the possibility of more play space holds great potential in initiating a substantial increase in opportunities for more free play among students, said Jen Staab, the coordinator for healthy schools in Bloomington.
“With more structural play like sports, or students simply not going outside to play, free play is often times lost.” she said.
A play space must meet specific requirements to qualify as an official one, such as it cannot be fenced and locked. There are currently 28 designated play spaces in Bloomington ranging from parks to recreation centers.
Being recognized as an area with a noticeable amount of play space is certainly an achievement worth applauding, as more play can decrease childhood obesity.
To recognize this outstanding accomplishment, an official play day has been scheduled for Sept. 28. This will be in nine different parks, and will include physical activities and general play promotion, Nix said.
This honorary title has great significance for the city of Bloomington, as it is an amazing town to raise kids, and it might make the beauty of the community more recognizable, Staab said.