The City of Casa Grande has been recognized by national non-profit KaBOOM! as a 2013 Playful City USA community for its efforts to give children the childhood they deserve by providing ample opportunities for play. Casa Grande was one of only 217 communities across the country to earn this honor. This is the fifth year Casa Grande has earned the national recognition.
Today's generation of children play less than any previous generation despite the vast benefits of play. The Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics reports that play is essential to the social, emotional, cognitive and physical well-being of children.
Casa Grande has 11 neighborhood parks, 5 community parks and 3 regional parks. All of the parks are open to residents and visitors. Most neighborhood parks offer an array of amenities, including a children's play area and basketball courts. Community parks offer similar amenities and are used regularly to host city-wide events. Casa Grande Mountain Park has 20 miles of hiking trails, providing families with an opportunity to recreate in an outdoor setting surrounded by beautiful short and long range views, plus spectacular desert vegetation. The trails were constructed entirely by volunteers and offer varying levels of difficulty.
The City of Casa Grande also offers many recreation programs for youth and adults of all ages. From swimming lessons to youth sports and special interest classes, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The Len Colla Recreation Center is a multi-purpose recreation center that features a full size gymnasium that provides indoor play opportunities year round.
To learn more about recreational opportunities in Casa Grande, sign up for a class or find a park near you, visitwww.casagrandeaz.gov/web/guest/communityservices
Sponsored by the Humana Foundation, Playful City USA is a national program from KaBOOM! that celebrates and promotes local policies that increase play opportunities for children and is a key platform in combating the lack of play among children. To learn more, visit www.kaboom.org
Miss Poppy Princess Visits Mayor Bob Jackson
On Monday, May 6 Casa Grande Mayor Bob Jackson presented Kindra McKinney, a fifth-grader at Evergreen Elementary School, with a proclamation declaring May 11, 2013 as "Poppy Day." She gave the Mayor a poppy flower, a bright red flower traditionally worn on Memorial Day to honor those who died in battle.
Kindra was named Miss Poppy Princess by the American Legion Auxiliary, Fred A. Humphreys Post 8. Mayor Bob Jackson urges all citizens to support the efforts of the organization in making special contributions toward financial assistance for needy veterans and their families.
City Accepting Applications to Serve on Boards
The City of Casa Grande is accepting applications for the following Boards: - (1) Personnel Advisory Board - (2) Police Advisory Board
Applications and information may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office at 510 E. Florence Blvd. or on the City’s website,www.casagrandeaz.gov/web/guest/serveboard
