SOMERVILLE TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL “KIDS TO PARKS DAY” EVENT MAY 19TH

SOMERVILLE - The City of

Somerville will join more than 50,000 communities across 45 states this year

for the second annual Kids to Parks Day. 

A grassroots movement started by National Parks Trust, Kids to Parks events

are planned nationwide to celebrate America's parks through active play on

Saturday, May 19^th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.  In

Somerville, events are planned at several parks throughout the City, including

Hodgkins-Curtin Playground, Albion Park, Lexington Park and the Community Path,

Blessing of the Bay Boat House and Shore Drive, Prospect Hill Park, Perry Park,

and Glen Park, and will include activities such as story time for kids, Zumba, bicycle safety programming and bike

decorating with the Somerville Police Department, children's activities with Recreation

Department programming for children, and much more!  Participating organizations include

Corpbasics, Huan's Tai Chi, Ultimate Boot Camp, an African Drum Corps.,

and more!  Residents are encouraged to

visit somervilleresistat.blogspot.com in advance to view a new, interactive map

of Somerville parks, including tot lots, community gardens, and off-leash

recreation areas for dogs.

 "Joining the national Kids to

Parks Day movement is a natural decision for the City of Somerville, as we

strive to govern and institute policies around the tenets of Shape Up

Somerville:  Eat Smart, Play Hard, Live Well, Move More," said Mayor Joseph A.

Curtatone.  "In Somerville, we offer a

wide variety of activities for youth of all ages to get outside and be active,

and Kids to Parks Day provides a great opportunity to showcase our parks and

open spaces, recreation programming, and some of our wonderful local partner

organizations.  This is a way for young

families to meet friends and neighbors, learn more about City programming and

recreation opportunities, and celebrate our commitment to a healthy community."

Kids to Parks Day events in

Somerville include:

• Glen Park at Capuano School: Programming
  
  by the Somerville Recreation Department; Corpbasics
  
  demonstrations and activities for youth and moms

• Perry Park: Children's activities

• Prospect Hill Park:
  
  Bring your kite and meet your
  
  neighbors for an afternoon of kite flying and/or a picnic!

• Albion Park: Soccer and basketball with Somerville Recreation; Tai Chi
  
  and Kung Fu demonstrations by Huan's Tai Chi

• Lexington Park:
  
  Recreation programming

• Community Path at Lexington Park: Ultimate Bootcamp demonstrations, African drumming, and join the Somerville
  
  Police Department for an afternoon of bike decorating and bike safety
  
  demonstrations, and participate in a short bike parade with the Mayor at 3:00!

• Hodgkins Park: Recreation programming in the tot lot

Bike Parade and Bike-Pedestrian Safety Campaign

Kickoff

Following the Kids to Parks

Day celebrations, the Mayor and the Somerville Bicycle Committee invite

community members to join them on the Community Path at Lexington Park to

officially launch the City's Bike-Pedestrian Safety Campaign, a poster campaign

designed to educate community members about safe driving and cycling

regulations.  The launch will be held at

3:00pm and will include a brief speaking agenda, poster presentation, and bike

parade along the path from Cedar Street to Willow Ave.  The poster campaign launch will coincide with

the end of Bike Week 2012.

The City of Somerville has

been recognized regionally and nationally for its commitment to active living

and parks and open space.  Currently,

there are 56 parks, playgrounds and/or community gardens located within its 4.1

square miles, of which more than 20 have been renovated since Mayor Curtatone

took office in 2004.  Additionally, the

City's commitment to active living can be seen in the more than 22 miles of bike

lanes and sharrows that have been added in the last two years, along with 10

new bike corrals located throughout the City. 

Somerville was named the 8^th most bikeable and 10^th

most walkable community in the United States in 2011 by walkscore.com.  Residents and visitors may view a

comprehensive parks list, complete with interactive mapping tool and photos, at

somervilleresistat.blogspot.com.

Porchfest

Saturday, May 19^th

will also bring the second annual "PorchFest," sponsored by the Somerville Arts

Council, to the City.  PorchFest is a

community event that encourages Somerville residents to share their love of

music, and on May 19^th local bands will showcase their unique style

by playing right on their own front porches. 

Acts range from Bollywood funk to Americana to blues, gospel, and much

more.  Bands will serenade passersby all

over the City.  A list of the more than

95 locations can be found at www.somervilleartscouncil.org. 

"In true Somerville fashion,

we have a jam-packed weekend of great events, from Parks activities to

PorchFest to Bike Week events.  Whatever

your hobbies, this is a weekend you won't want to miss," Mayor Curtatone said.  "We hope you'll join us at one of our many

popular celebrations, and help us share our Somerville pride."

National Park Trust is a

nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of our

nation's critical parks and reconnecting youth, especially those that are

underserved, to nature.  For more

information, visit www.parktrust.org.