Today, Mayor Scott Smith announces a “Day of Play” for Sept. 25, 2009 at the Mesa City Council meeting. Mesa was one of 93 cities across the nation to receive the prestigious “Playful City USA” title from KaBOOM! In celebration of this award, Mesa is holding a Day of Play on Friday, Sept. 25 at Jefferson and Webster Recreation Centers, the Red Mountain Multigenerational Center and the Mesa Amphitheater. Families are invited to join in the fun and free events.

Mesa’s Day of Play will take place during KaBOOM’s national effort to focus on play. From Sept. 19-27, over 1,000 communities across the U.S. will host free, fun-for-the-whole-family events that focus on the important role of play in a child’s life. Play Day attendees can help get the word out that fun is serious.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the “Playful City USA” award than with a day of play,” Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said. “I’ve lived in Mesa all my life and know Mesa is a great place to work, live and play but to have an organization such as KaBOOM formally recognize us really puts us over the top.”

The Day of Play will feature open gyms and youth activities at the recreation centers and a free showing of Bolt at the Mesa Amphitheatre with bounce houses and arts and crafts for the kids. All events are free for the public to attend and will begin around 2:30 p.m. To view a list of events, specific locations and times visit http://www.mesaaz.gov/parksrec/dayofplay or contact Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities Planning and Development Supervisor, Andrea Moore at (480) 644-2643.