Hilo celebrates with community “Play Day” Saturday (Nov 21)

Hilo joins list of “Playful City USA” communities

Hilo will celebrate its national designation as a “Playful City” on Saturday, November 21, with a community Play Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mo‘oheau Park.

Hilo was selected one of the Playful City USA communities by KaBOOM! a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into children’s lives.

Saturday’s free community celebration will include games, music, interactive fitness demonstrations and more, sponsored by the County of Hawai‘i Healing Our Island grant fund. Everyone is invited to this earth-friendly, drug- and alcohol-free event. (See schedule below.)

Hilo is one of 39 communities across the nation that were designated Playful Cities for the first time this year. All 93 cities created and implemented programs to positively impact childhood wellness, public safety and quality of life to achieve the designation.

Each of the 2009 Playful City USA communities demonstrated creative commitments to the cause of play in the areas of quantity, quality and access. Key to Hilo’s selection was the work of Ka Hui Pa`ani, a partnership between the County and private organizations and individuals who recognize Hilo’s long history of play and recreation.

Despite budget challenges, the 93 Playful Cities have taken innovative approaches to make play a priority to ensure their children have the time and space they need to play.

“We are definitely committed to providing the resources our children need to develop into good citizens even in tough economic times, and I recognize the value of safe, convenient and adequate play spaces,” said Hawai‘i County Mayor Billy Kenoi. “I certainly want to commend Ka Hui Pa`ani for their dedication and commitment that made this national recognition possible.”

According to Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! CEO and Co-founder, “Our country is facing two monumental deficits: a lack of unstructured play among children and a lack of resources to address this very issue.

“Hilo took a stand and determined that the future of their community—their children—deserve a commitment to the cause of play,” Hammond said. “This is an investment in the future, not an expenditure, and cities and towns across the country can replicate initiatives from these Playful City USA communities so that they too can bring play back into the lives of their children.”

For more information, call, 935-8850.

“PLAY DAY” SCHEDULE

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Mo‘oheau Park, Hilo

11 a.m. – Zumba Interactive Demo

11:30 a.m. – Martial Arts Interactive Demo

12 noon – Acroyoga Interactive Demo

12:30 p.m. – Sign Language Dance

12:40 p.m. – Pauline Victoria, inspirational speaker

1 p.m. – Playful City USA Designation Ceremony

1:15 p.m. – Shell Shock performance

1:30 p.m. – DJ and band

1:45 p.m. – Gong fuball, dj and band

2:15 p.m. – Lobo Del Mar

2:45 p.m. – DJ and band

3 p.m. – Wrap it up!



Fighting childhood obesity with play.