In America only 1-5 children in the U.S. currently live within walking distance of a park or playground, 151 cities and towns, including Laramie, earned recognition from national non-profit KaBOOM! As 2011 Playful City USA communities for their efforts to increase play opportunities for children.

About KaBOOM! - A key platform in combating the Play Deficit is Playful City USA, a national program advocating for local policies that increase play opportunities for children. KaBOOM!, the national non-profit organization dedicated to saving play, created Playful City USA in 2007 to help local governments address the Play Deficit by ensuring their children have the time and space they need to play.

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Maps to playspaces and playgrounds in Laramie, WY

Mike Zook, the City of Laramie Parks Manager, is happy to again be included among the “Playful City USA” Communities. Zook encourages citizens to check out the new playground equipment recently installed at LaBonte Park while enjoying all the amenities that Laramie has to offer.

KaBOOM! also selected Laramie for its outstanding dedication to play. Laramie is exploring the possibility of implementing a joint-use agreement between the city and a local early childhood education center. The sharing of resources and costs through joint-use agreements can increase access to play spaces for city residents.

The 151 Playful City USA communities are now eligible for grants via Let’s Play - a community partnership led by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to get kids active nationwide. The first Let’s Play initiative is a $15 million, three-year commitment to KaBOOM!. Together, through Let’s Play, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM! will build or fix up 2,000 playgrounds by the end of 2013, benefiting an estimated five million children across North America.

For more information on the KaBOOM! Playful City USA program, including Let’s Play grants and applications for 2012, visit www.kaboom.org/playfulcityusa.

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