By Cherokee Tribune staff
The Canton city government for the second year in a row has earned national recognition for its parks and recreation services.
Canton this week was one of 67 cities nationwide named a "Playful City USA" by KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to bringing play back into children's lives, and qubo, a television and online service for children.
Canton was selected for its efforts including the renovation of Burge Park and addition of playground equipment, as well as sponsoring a new annual recreation event: Play Day. This year's second annual Play Day will be Dec. 6 at Heritage Park immediately following the city's annual holiday parade downtown.
"It is gratifying when the cooperation, encouragement and hard work of our great city and wonderful citizens, young and old, are recognized for our efforts and teamwork in providing safe and appropriate play areas for our children of all ages," Councilwoman Pat Tanner, who is chairwoman of the council's parks and recreation committee, said of the recognition.
Burge Park, which is also known as Crisler Park, as it stretches between the two streets, was improved using $5,000 in city Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) revenues and donations of materials and volunteer hours from local businesses and residents.
"In a time when communities are struggling with critical financial decisions, Canton proved its commitment to the cause of play by launching creative initiatives designed to increase access to play spaces, improve the quality of play in their community, and increase the time children spend playing," said Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! CEO and co-founder. "It just goes to show you, where there's a will, there's a play."
Canton Code Enforcement Officer Nancy Serrand also has been invited to participate in the KaBOOM! Playful City USA Founding Forum in Washington, D.C., next week. Representatives from the nation's founding class of Playful City USA communities will gather to talk about the state of play and develop methods to increase the amount of play among children.
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Posted Comments
Canton parks discriminate against people WITHOUT kids! There's not a park in the city that I can use for the activity _I_ need to stay healthy: walking my dog. And, I'm sorry -- but you cannot attribute this to the "mess" that dogs leave -- look at the messes left behind by kids, and no one bans THEM from parks!
you need help. Youneed to really examine what is going on in your life. Walking your dog is the only way you can stay healthy? Can you not leave the dog at home? Or have we discovered a deeper problem, your inference that Dogs are somehow on the same level as Children?
Once again, blame this recognition on the former Mayor and Council, once again they looked to improve the City and have recieved recognition for it. I'm glad we ran them backward thinking folks out of office.
It is obvious that many have not actually read this article nor are they aware of the efforts of the Playful City USA committee. Instead of criticizing and critiquing, how about considering joining this hardworking group of volunteers in their efforts to truly bring PLAY back into our community.