{"id":13337,"date":"2010-08-18T21:16:24","date_gmt":"2010-08-19T01:16:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=13337"},"modified":"2010-08-18T21:16:24","modified_gmt":"2010-08-19T01:16:24","slug":"fort-wayne-named-a-playful-city-usa-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2010\/08\/18\/fort-wayne-named-a-playful-city-usa-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Fort Wayne named a &#8220;Playful City USA&#8221; Community"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/icons\/FWParks_logo.jpg\" alt=\"Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department Logo\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Press release from Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Non-Profit Organization KaBOOM! Names Fort Wayne a &#8220;Playful City USA&#8221; Community<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Fort Wayne Parks &amp; Recreation Director Al Moll announced today that Fort Wayne has been named a Playful City USA Community. Representatives from Turnstone Center, the League for the Blind &amp; Disabled, Easter Seals Arc and the YMCA joined the celebration as partners with the Fort Wayne Parks &amp; Recreation Department in this initiative.<\/p>\n<p>KaBOOM!, a national non-profit dedicated to saving play, recognized 118 cities across the country as Playful City USA communities, including Fort Wayne, which was selected for it&#8217;s outstanding dedication to play.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Fort Wayne&#8217;s Play Task Force spent the last eight months focused on making play important for our children, including a series of free, citywide play days. KaBOOM! recognized the many initiatives that were taken to keep our kids safe and healthy,&#8221; said Director Moll. &#8220;Don&#8217;t miss our last play day this summer &#8211; a Block Party at the League for the Blind and Disabled on August 28, 1 &#8211; 5 pm.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Future plans include an Adopt-a-Playground program. Community and civic groups will be asked to adopt a playground for two years, with planned cleanups three times each year. This will be a way for adults to get involved in making sure our playgrounds are clean and safe for the community&#8217;s children.<\/p>\n<p>Mayor Tom Henry continues to support the Playful City initiative. &#8220;One of the goals of my administration is to provide our citizens, especially our children, more opportunities for an active lifestyle,&#8221; said Mayor Henry. &#8220;Unstructured play is vital to the development of healthy people.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>KaBOOM! inspires communities to build and maintain great places to play in conjunction with its vision of keeping children happy and healthy. Playful City USA communities create best practices, serve as role models for other communities and prove that enhancing children&#8217;s well-being by increasing the opportunity for play is an attainable goal for every community.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;An extreme misconception exists in our country that play among children is a luxury when, in fact, it&#8217;s an absolute necessity,&#8221; said Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! CEO and Co-founder. &#8220;For decades, this notion dominated our actions and we continue to see the damaging results: a monumental lack of playspaces for children and sky-rocketing childhood obesity rates. Fort Wayne refused to adhere to the status quo and realized all children deserve a municipal commitment to the cause of play. These 118 Playful City USA communities serve as beacons for the rest of our nation that an investment in children is an investment in our future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>For more information on the KaBOOM! Playful City USA program, including applications for 2011, visit <span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/main\/external-weblinks\/78-special\/174-kaboom\">www.kaboom.org\/playfulcityusa<\/span>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/main\/external-weblinks\/68-government\/58-fort-wayne-parks\">Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation website<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Related Images:<\/h3><div class=\"ngg-related-gallery\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71709.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry announces call for referendum vote on the gaming issue during a press conference on February 27, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"199\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71709.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71709.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry announces call for referendum vote on the gaming issue during a press conference on February 27, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"199\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71709.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71710.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry shakes hands with Allen County Councilman Paul Moss after the press conference announcing his decision to seek a referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"200\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71710.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71710.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/02\/27: Mayor Tom Henry shakes hands with Allen County Councilman Paul Moss\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry shakes hands with Allen County Councilman Paul Moss after the press conference announcing his decision to seek a referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/02\/27: Mayor Tom Henry shakes hands with Allen County Councilman Paul Moss\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/02\/27: Mayor Tom Henry shakes hands with Allen County Councilman Paul Moss\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"200\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71710.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71714.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"City Councilman Tim Pape makes a brief comment during the Mayor&#039;s press conference calling for referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"202\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71714.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71714.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne City Councilman Tim Pape\" data-description=\"City Councilman Tim Pape makes a brief comment during the Mayor&#039;s press conference calling for referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne City Councilman Tim Pape\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne City Councilman Tim Pape\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"202\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71714.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71717.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Former City Councilman Dr. John Crawford and son Grant attended the press conference in which Mayor Henry called for a referendum vote on the gaming issue. Photo taken February 27, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"204\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71717.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71717.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/02\/27: Dr. John Crawford and son Grant\" data-description=\"Former City Councilman Dr. John Crawford and son Grant attended the press conference in which Mayor Henry called for a referendum vote on the gaming issue. Photo taken February 27, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/02\/27: Dr. John Crawford and son Grant\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/02\/27: Dr. John Crawford and son Grant\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"204\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71717.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85078.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming. Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is in the background. Photo taken May 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"1693\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85078.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85078.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming. Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is in the background. Photo taken May 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1693\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85078.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85080.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming.  Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is on the left and City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner is on the right.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"1694\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85080.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85080.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming.  Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is on the left and City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner is on the right.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1694\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85080.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85088.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming.  Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is in the background.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"1695\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85088.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85088.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming.  Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is in the background.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1695\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85088.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85094.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner answers a question from the press.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"1697\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85094.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85094.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/05\/01: City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner\" data-description=\"City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner answers a question from the press.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/05\/01: City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/05\/01: City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1697\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85094.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/blog-headers\/2009_05_11_header.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Komets celebrated their back to back Turner Cup Championship downtown.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"1812\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/blog-headers\/2009_05_11_header.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/blog-headers\/thumbs\/thumbs_2009_05_11_header.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/05\/12 - Komets celebration\" data-description=\"The Komets celebrated their back to back Turner Cup Championship downtown.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/05\/12 - Komets celebration\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/05\/12 - Komets celebration\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1812\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/blog-headers\/thumbs\/thumbs_2009_05_11_header.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92352.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry announces the City won&#039;t renew the Light Lease with Indiana Michigan Power. Photo taken June 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"2011\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92352.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92352.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/06\/02: Mayor Tom Henry\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry announces the City won&#039;t renew the Light Lease with Indiana Michigan Power. Photo taken June 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/06\/02: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/06\/02: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2011\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92352.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92359.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"City Utilities Director Kumar Menon answers questions from the press during the Light Lease press conference on June 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"2013\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92359.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92359.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/06\/02: Kumar Menon\" data-description=\"City Utilities Director Kumar Menon answers questions from the press during the Light Lease press conference on June 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/06\/02: Kumar Menon\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/06\/02: Kumar Menon\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2013\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92359.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92360.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"City Utilities Director Kumar Menon answers questions from the press during the Light Lease press conference on June 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"2014\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92360.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92360.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/06\/02: Kumar Menon\" data-description=\"City Utilities Director Kumar Menon answers questions from the press during the Light Lease press conference on June 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/06\/02: Kumar Menon\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/06\/02: Kumar Menon\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2014\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92360.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92363.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner answers questions from the press during the Light Lease press conference on June 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"2016\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92363.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92363.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/06\/02: Tim Haffner\" data-description=\"City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner answers questions from the press during the Light Lease press conference on June 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/06\/02: Tim Haffner\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/06\/02: Tim Haffner\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2016\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92363.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/20090525\/90287.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry in the passenger seat during the 2009 Parnell Avenue Memorial Day Parade on May 25, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"2027\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/20090525\/90287.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/20090525\/thumbs\/thumbs_90287.jpg\" data-title=\"Mayor Tom Henry\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry in the passenger seat during the 2009 Parnell Avenue Memorial Day Parade on May 25, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2027\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/20090525\/thumbs\/thumbs_90287.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/bc\/93635.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Parks and Recreation Director, Al Moll, speaks during the McCulloch Park rededication.  Photo taken June 6, 2009 at the Broadway Family Funfest.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='32ce53cb5030c1097bc346dc0a0db159' data-image-id=\"2100\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/bc\/93635.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/bc\/thumbs\/thumbs_93635.jpg\" data-title=\"Parks and Recreation Director, Al Moll\" data-description=\"Parks and Recreation Director, Al Moll, speaks during the McCulloch Park rededication.  Photo taken June 6, 2009 at the Broadway Family Funfest.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Parks and Recreation Director, Al Moll\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Parks and Recreation Director, Al Moll\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2100\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/bc\/thumbs\/thumbs_93635.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Press release from Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation: Non-Profit Organization KaBOOM! Names Fort Wayne a &#8220;Playful City USA&#8221; Community Related Images:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1422],"tags":[22518,98,3445],"class_list":["post-13337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-parks-and-recreation-local-government-news","tag-city-of-fort-wayne-parks-and-recreation-department","tag-fort-wayne-mayor-tom-henry","tag-playful-city-usa"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Fort Wayne named a &quot;Playful City USA&quot; Community - AroundFortWayne<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Press release from Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation: Non-Profit Organization KaBOOM! 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