Dustin White

Editor

It is said that being able to play is critical to a community’s health. For children, that ability is especially important for their health. For the City of Bismarck, this is something they have taken quite serious, and for the seventh time, they are being honored for their effort by being named a Playful City, U.S.A.

Along with Bismarck, 256 other cities and towns across the country shared in the honor, which comes from the national non-profit, KaBOOM!. The recognition came based on the city’s focus on play, as well as the work that is involved in creating a kid-friendly, family-friendly, community.

Bismarck was the only North Dakota community that received the designation for 2016.

The Playful City USA designation comes shortly after the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District was named as one of the four finalists for the prestigious 2016 National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.