By Christina Sampson | Casa Grande Dispatch
For the fifth year in a row, Casa Grande has won a Playful City award.
The Playful City USA program is an initiative from a non-profit organization focused on encouraging young people to play by helping local governments create playgrounds in their communities.
Winning the award makes Casa Grande eligible to receive one of three grants of $15,000, $20,000 or $30,000.
The city has not been awarded grant money in the past, Caryl Chase, recreation superintendent with the Community Services Department, said. However, if Casa Grande were awarded funding this year, Chase said the money would be used to rebuild the older playground at Dave White Regional Park.
Casa Grande was one of the first three cities in the state to be designated a Playful City, Chase said. To be considered for the award, a city must demonstrate a commitment to addressing lack of active play by children through special local initiatives.