CITY LAUNCHES ‘SOMERPLAY’ INITIATIVE

SOMERVILLE - Mayor
Joseph A. Curtatone announces the launch of the City's innovative SomerPlay
program for summer 2013. Based on author Mike Lanza's Playborhood, SomerPlay encourages the use of structured activity
within urban neighborhoods to create fun and innovative play for youth. The
approach also cultivates and supports leadership as residents identify ways to
strengthen community connections while enabling play among children in our
neighborhoods and squares. Through the pilot program this summer, the City will
support "zones" throughout Somerville, created by residents, businesses,
churches or other community members that aim to create activities for residents
of all ages and include a component for children. City staff will host planning
workshops beginning on May 16^th to discuss the program and review
proposals for SomerPlay "zones."

Author Mike Lanza joined Mayor Curtatone and the City's
Public Library and Recreation Department for an interactive "Playborhood"
workshop in March 2013. The idea has since garnered significant community
interest. Through SomerPlay, the City of Somerville will work with community
members to create play "zones" that encourage, support or enhance opportunities
for physical activity in and around Somerville neighborhoods. Zone teams will
be asked to attend several planning meetings, provide feedback on activities
and share any lessons learned at the end of the summer. More information can be
found at somervilleresistat.blogspot.com/p/youthstat.html.

"In a city of only 4.1 square miles, we
recognize that open space is at a premium and that opportunities for active
outdoor play are not always the most evident. To that end, we hope that
SomerPlay will inspire residents and community groups of all ages and from
every neighborhood to create play zones that encourage exactly the types of
physical activity, imagination and fun that will help us become more connected
as a community," said Mayor Curtatone. "Over the last several months and years,
we have increasingly introduced opportunities for leadership and leadership
training within city government, and we hope that the values promoted through
those initiatives will, in turn, inspire participants and all residents to
become leaders in their own neighborhoods, helping us to create a successful
and lasting program citywide."

"In Somerville, our density means we
interact with many people as soon as we walk out the door," said Stephanie
Hirsch, SomerPlay Coordinator and an employee of the City and Somerville Public
Schools. "Strengthening our ties makes these interactions very fun and makes
our lives richer. This is especially true for children, who benefit greatly
from having playmates next door or just down the street, who they can visit
without a scheduled play date."

To aid residents in realizing their
ideas, City staff will assist with permitting, locations (including making
school or City buildings available), and, when possible, will help provide
needed equipment.

Any community member wishing to submit a
SomerPlay plan should visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/RDLMG9B
and should be prepared to send a representative to a planning workshop on
Thursday, May 16th^, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Recreation Building,
19 Walnut Street. Plans should be submitted prior to the workshop if possible.

Additional information about SomerPlay,
upcoming workshops and planning meetings, and related documents can be found at
http://somervilleresistat.blogspot.com/p/youthstat.html.
With any questions, please contact Stephanie Hirsch at SHirsch@somervillema.gov or
617-625-6600 ext 2340.