KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to bringing play back into children’s lives, has named the City of Henderson a Playful City USA for the second year in a row. Playful City USA is a national program honoring cities and towns that put children’s well-being first by recognizing and harnessing the power of play. Henderson is the only community in Nevada to receive this recognition.

 “It is an honor for us to be named a Playful City USA for the second year in a row,” said Mayor Andy Hafen. “This recognizes our efforts to make play spaces safer and more accessible to Henderson children and validates our work to make diverse recreation opportunities available to all Henderson residents.”

In addition to Henderson, 92 other communities were recognized, including Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Francisco, and West Palm Beach, Fla. Award criteria included demonstrating creative commitments to the cause of play in the areas of quantity, quality and access.

 “One area we’re particularly proud of is our commitment to installing shade shelters in our parks,” said Mary Ellen Donner, director of the City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department. “To date, we are about halfway toward our goal of adding a shade shelter at 67 play spaces throughout the City. Shade structures are now part of our park design standards, so they will be incorporated into any planned and future parks.”

Henderson has designated Sept. 24 as its official “Come Out and Play Day.” During the day, more than 400 children at 37 different Henderson sites will celebrate the fun and importance of play with simultaneous activities in the afternoon. Activities include art contests, relays, swimming, jump rope and more.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBoom! is a national nonprofit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Since 1995, it has used a community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct nearly 1,500 new playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America.