Friday, September 10, 2010

HOORAY FOR PLAY! INDIANAPOLIS NAMED PLAYFUL CITY, USA FOR SECOND TIME

Turn off the television, silence the cell phone and head to a park. It's playtime in Indianapolis! For the second year, Indianapolis is honored as a Playful City USA community by KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing play into children's lives. Join Mayor Greg Ballard September 18 for the Indy Play Celebration announcement and proclamation reading at Wilbur Shaw Memorial Soap Box Derby Hill, 3001 Cold Spring Road, at 10:30 a.m.

Indianapolis is one of 118 communities across 35 states recognized for our commitment, mission and willingness to make play important. Research shows a strong connection between play and the development of social, emotional, cognitive and intellectual skills.

Plan to play together at an Indy Park or Greenway Trail, a church or school playground, a museum, the zoo or cultural center, or even your own backyard. Don't stop after September 18 - Plan a family play date every week to continue to nurture the health and well-being of yourself and your child!

Here are some other helpful ways to get started on September 18:

Douglass Park -Making the Band - The Dorman Street Band sings gospel, urban and old school tunes. Stretch your vocal cords or bring your own instrument to start jammin'. 12-4 p.m. FREE

Krannert, Indy Island, Thatcher, La Shonna Bates and George Washington Community School - Indoor Swimming - Call 327-PARK for times and fees or visit aquatics.indyparks.org

Garfield Park's Conservatory and Sunken Garden - Fruit and Candy Tour - Find out where some of your favorite yummy treats come from with a family-friendly tour of the conservatory and the tasty food it produces. 11-12 p.m. $3 per person

Garfield Park - Arts for All - You've heard of petting zoos with animals? What about with instruments? The Arts for All theme in September gives kids hands-on fun with horns and strings at the "Instrument Petting Zoo." 12 - 5 p.m. FREE

Eagle Creek Park- Nature Discovery Program - Learn about the wonders of nature with guided tours to discover native plants, weird bugs, live animals and how you can help the environment. 1:30 p.m., FREE with park admission

Eagle Creek Park's Ornithology Center - Avian Adventure - Meet a raptor, explore a backyard habitat and take a guided bird hike. Free with park admission. Call 327-BIRD for times.

Check out Indy Parks Fall Fun Guide to start playing the day away! Go to www.indyparks.org or call (317)327-PARK.

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