August '10 Nevada Government—City of Henderson Column

City of Henderson Named A Playful City USA For the Third Consecutive Year

August 18, 2010 – Henderson, NV – The City of Henderson has been named a Playful City USA for the third consecutive year by KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to bringing play back into children’s lives. 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 the Playful City USA recognition.

“Our selection as a Playful City USA is due in part to our goal of having a park or recreation facility within a half-mile of most Henderson homes, which greatly enhances the quality of life for our residents,” said Mayor Andy Hafen. “A second component of this is the Healthy Henderson fitness, health and wellness program, which is a partnership between the Parks and Recreation Department and St. Rose Dominican Hospitals. It encourages people of all ages to play, get fit, and stay healthy, and this directly supports our vision to be America’s premier community.”

This year, 118 cities and towns in 36 states were recognized as Playful City USA communities. Each community has made a commitment to play and physical activity by developing local action plans to increase the quantity and quality of play in its parks and facilities.

“An extreme misconception exists in our country that play among children is a luxury when, in fact, it’s an absolute necessity,” said Darell Hammond, CEO and co-founder of KaBOOM! “For decades, this notion dominated our actions and we continue to see the damaging results: a monumental lack of play spaces for children and sky-rocketing childhood obesity rates. Henderson refused to adhere to the status quo and realized all children deserve a municipal commitment to the cause of play. These 118 Playful City USA communities serve as beacons for the rest of our nation that an investment in children is an investment in our future.”

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 playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields, and ice rinks across North America.

Free Gymnastics Workshop Set for Aug. 28

Workshop Offers Preview of New Gymnastics Program

August 17, 2010 – Henderson, NV – The City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a free gymnastics workshop from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 28, at Downtown Recreation Center, 105 W. Basic Rd. It is for children and teens ages 18 months to 15 years. No registration is required.

The workshop will feature demonstrations, instruction, discussion of apparatus, and an introduction to a comprehensive new gymnastics program offered by the Parks and Recreation Department. The new program includes a wide variety of classes based on age and experience, from beginners to the more advanced.

“We have been receiving requests from kids taking part in our tumbling classes to add a true gymnastics program, and that’s just what we’ve done,” said Tanya Myers, Recreation Services supervisor, City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department. “This is the real deal, with quality instruction, brand new apparatus and equipment, and an opportunity for youth to learn, grow, and stay physically fit.”

Registration is now open for 8-week gymnastics classes, which are offered at Downtown Recreation Center. A complete list of programs is available in Henderson Happenings, the Parks and Recreation Department’s guide to recreation and leisure opportunities, and also online at http://cityofhenderson.com/parks/. Register online or in person at any City of Henderson recreation center.

For additional information, call 267-4040.