Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) kicked off PlayStreets 2017, announcing that the City of Chicago will host more than 150 special PlayStreets events throughout the summer for children and their families to get active. At a PlayStreets event, the streets are closed off to traffic for three or more hours and transformed into a community-lead, fun-filled day featuring sports, games, bounce houses, dances, fitness classes and more. Last year, more than 24,000 residents participated in more than 150 PlayStreets events.
In its sixth year, PlayStreets continues to expand its reach. This year, more than 150 PlayStreets events are already scheduled in 23 neighborhoods across Chicago Auburn Gresham, Austin, Belmont Cragin, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, East and West Garfield Park, Englewood, Gage Park, Grand Boulevard, Humboldt Park, Kenwood, Logan Square, Lower West Side, Near North Side, Near West Side, North Lawndale, Rogers Park, Roseland, South Chicago, South Shore, Uptown, Washington Park and Woodlawn. Gads Hill Center and World Sport Chicago are coordinating this year’s events on behalf of CDPH in partnership with 29 grassroots community partners. “Our goal is to create healthy communities that encourage all of our residents to practice healthy lifestyles,” said CDPH Commissioner Julie Morita, M.D. “PlayStreets is a part of our citywide strategy to reach our youngest residents, in their communities so that they are able to lead active, healthy lives now and into the future.
“PlayStreets gives Chicago’s children an opportunity to experience and celebrate a healthy lifestyle,” said Maricela Garcia, CEO, Gads Hill. “It’s also a way for residents to come together to strengthen the fabric of their communities and build on existing assets. It’s about celebrating all of the positive resources that already exist in our communities.” For more information on Healthy Chicago 2.0, visit www.CityofChicago.org/Health. A full schedule of PlayStreets events can be found at www.playstreets.org.
