The Kissimmee Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Department recently announced that the city was named one of the 2012 Playful City U.S.A. communities for their efforts to increase play opportunities for children.

It was recognized by the national nonprofit KaBOOM!, which listed 213 playful cities and towns.

“This marks the second year in a row that Kissimmee is listed among the nation’s Playful City U.S.A. communities. It is a testament to our commitment to providing quality recreation programs in a safe environment, where kids can enjoy being kids,” Dan Loubier director of the Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Department, said.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play is critical to healthy brain development. It allows children to use their creativity while simultaneously developing imagination, dexterity and physical, cognitive and emotional strength. With only one-in-five children in the U.S. currently living within walking distance of a park or playground, a key platform in combating the play deficit is Playful City U.S.A.

Presented by The Humana Foundation, Playful City U.S.A. is a national program advocating for local policies that increase play opportunities for children and is a key platform in combating the play deficit.

KaBOOM!, the national non-profit organization dedicated to saving play, created Playful City U.S.A. in 2007 to help local governments address the Play Deficit by ensuring their children have the time and space they need to play.

For the fifth consecutive year, Florida paced the nation with 29 Playful City U.S.A. communities. California earned second-place with 24 communities, while Texas finished third with 14 Playful City U.S.A. communities.

KaBOOM! also selected Kissimmee for its outstanding dedication to play. Kissimmee focuses on volunteer programs to keep the citizens involved with parks to create a greater sense of ownership, including Spruce-Up and Build Days. In 2011, the City opened a new skate park after two teens shared their interest for this new play space with City leaders.

“Cities like Kissimmee are key allies in the fight to combat the play deficit and serve as outstanding role models for government and community leaders across the country,” Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! Founder and CEO, said.

Playful City U.S.A. communities are developing some of the most innovative concepts and cost-effective programs. Today’s children spend less time playing outside than previous generations in part because only 20 percent live within walking distance of a park or playground. This play deficit is having profound consequences for kids physically, as well as mentally and socially because children need a place to play every day in order to be active and healthy.

The 213 Playful City U.S.A. communities are now eligible for $15,000, $20,000 and $30,000 grants via Let’s Play, a community partnership led by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, to get kids and families active nationwide. Grant recipients will be announced on June 4.

For more information on the KaBOOM! Playful City U.S.A. program, including Let’s Play grants and applications for 2013, visit www.playfulcityusa.org.