(Killeen, Texas): The City of Killeen has been named a Playful City USA for a ninth consecutive year. This national designation is awarded by KaBOOM!, a non-profit dedicated to bringing play into the lives of children.
KaBOOM! considers a number of factors in selecting communities for the honor of Playful City USA. Killeen’s efforts to increase the quantity and quality of playgrounds, park acreage per capita and youth served earned its place on the list of just 258 cities in the country.
In addition to its 18 parks, the city has a water park, spray park, two hike and bike trails, two skate parks, golf and disc golf courses and a variety of athletic fields. Parks and Recreation programming includes athletic leagues, camps, recreation classes and specialty events throughout the year. A full list of amenities and programs is available on the city’s website, www.killeentexas.gov/parks.
To see the list of communities named 2017 Playful City USA honorees, or for more information on the Playful City USA program, visit www.playfulcityusa.org.
For the tenth consecutive year, Killeen was named a 2016 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation recognizing the city’s commitment to effective urban forest management.
Killeen achieved the Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
Cleaner air, improved storm water management, energy savings and increased property values and commercial activity are among the benefits enjoyed by Tree City USA communities.
More information on the program is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information is available at www.arborday.org.