Brentwood Press - Index

Brentwood Press - WelcomeMagazine_08.09 - Index

Brentwood named ‘Playful City’
The City of Brentwood is among 67 communities nationwide to be recognized for taking innovative approaches
to emphasize the serious matter of play. Two other Bay Area cities – San Francisco and San Jose
– were also named “Playful” cities.
Playful City USA is a
program sponsored by the
national nonprofit organization
KaBOOM! The
program honors cities and
towns that put their children’s
well-being first by
recognizing and harnessing
the power of play. The
KaBOOM! vision is for
communities to provide
high-quality places to play
within walking distance of
every child.
Through the Playful
City USA application
process, Brentwood’s Wellness
Policy – originally
pertaining to education,
planning, promoting and
implementing parks, facilities
and programs that
foster fitness and wellness
– has been amended to address
the benefits of play
to learning and human
development.
“Despite mounting
budget problems, these
communities have pursued
initiatives to increase
the quantity and quality
of play and playgrounds,
as well as access to existing
opportunities to
play,” KaBOOM! CEO
and Co-founder Darell
Hammond said in a press
release announcing the
award.
“In a time when communities
are struggling
with critical financial
decisions, Brentwood, San
Francisco and San Jose
proved their commitment
to the cause of play by
launching creative initia-
tives designed to increase
access to play spaces, improve
the quality of play
in their community, and
increase the time children
spend playing,” Hammond
said.
“The ideas range the
gamut, from new programming
and access
initiatives to creating informational
resources and
public private partnerships.
It just goes to show
you: where there’s a will,
there’s a play.”
2008-2009 The Magazine of East County Welcome! 59
PLAYfUL CITY