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.