Staff Reports, The Progress-Index
HOPEWELL — The city of Hopewell was named a 2015 ‘Playful City USA’ community by the nonprofit KaBOOM! and its partner Humana Foundation. This is the fifth year the city has received the recognition.
Hopewell and Danville were the only localities in Virginia to receive the honor this year. The title was given to 241 cities across America. KaBOOM! seeks to recognize localities for their efforts to make their communities “more playable.” The organization believes “playability” makes a community healthier and can address many other issues in communities.
The city of Hopewell boasts 20 recreational sites that include playgrounds, athletic fields, river access, trails, basketball courts, a skate park and open space. The Hopewell Community Center, a 26,000-square-foot recreation facility, also offers a full-size gymnasium, racquetball courts, a 25-meter swimming pool and meeting space.
“The Recreation and Parks Department looks forward to increasing playability through the city with creative planning, innovative strategies and community input,” the city stated in a press release.
In the span of almost 20 years, KaBOOM! has contributed to the construction, opening or improvement of 16,300 playgrounds in the nation, serving 7.4 million children.