The Town of Fountain Hills is being honored with a Playful City USA designation for 2015 marking the fifth time it has received this designation.

In partnership with the Humana Foundation, KaBOOM! honors cities, towns and counties across the country for making their communities more playable. The Town of Fountain Hills is working hard to increase playability by stretching funds and resources.

Recent park improvements include upgrading disc golf baskets and installing light bollards at Fountain Park which will make it more usable year-round. Staff is also increasing programs to include Zumba, multi-sports for toddlers, Stroller Strides for Moms, and organizing summer games for all ages at the Community Center.

Other examples that demonstrates the Town cares about playability is through the Andrews-Kinsey Trail that stretches from the Western Loop in Fountain Hills to the Sunrise Trail in Scottsdale which is a major step in providing access for recreational hikers and bikers.

The Town has also completed the major renovation of the Avenue of the Fountains “median.” Having been re-named the “Plaza,” this open space has been redesigned as a play space within our commercial downtown corridor. Complete with water features, shade structures, walking path, and water fountains for two-legged and four-legged users, this space has been transformed.

In addition, one of the town’s main goals is to attract families and youth to events where play thrives as well as implementing a FIT Trail System which includes bikeways and pathways.

“Fountain Hills is a great hometown community dedicated to a lifestyle that encourages playful activities for all ages,” said Mayor Linda Kavanagh. “We are excited to be recognized as a Playful City for the fifth time.”

“Playability is crucial to the success of our future communities, and we are proud of the work these cities and leaders are doing to provide a better quality of life for all residents, and especially families,” says KaBOOM! President James Siegal. “Play provides a competitive advantage for cities looking to attract and retain residents. With these esteemed leaders, and our friends and partners across the country, we continue to prioritize play for all kids.”

To learn more about the cities, see the full list of the 241 communities named 2015 Playful City USA honorees, or to gather more information on the Playful City USA program, visit www.playfulcityusa.org.

Citizens are also encouraged to take part in the conversation on #playability with these thought leaders on Twitter and Facebook.

The mission of the Fountain Hills Community Services Department is to enhance the quality of life by providing and maintaining safe, available, and accessible parks and recreation services that will meet the intellectual, social cultural, and leisure needs of all residents.

KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive.

Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.1 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives.

To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.