FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 17, 2012
Contact: Savannah Wake
801-535-6202


City to Commemorate National Kids to Parks Day at Living Traditions Festival
Celebration encourages children to reclaim America’s parks through play
 
SALT LAKE CITY – Mayor Ralph Becker invites residents to get active this  festival season by celebrating the second annual National Kids to Parks Day on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The event will be held at the Living Traditions Festival in Washington Square Park, 451 S. State Street.  
 
As part of First Lady  Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move Outside” initiative to reduce childhood obesity, Mayor Becker joins mayors across the country in signing an official proclamation declaring May 19 as National Kids to Parks Day.
 
“Salt Lake City is host to 126 parks, 960 acres of open space and 58 playgrounds – all of which provide excellent spaces for outdoor play,” said Mayor Becker. “I encourage all residents to use National Kids to Parks Day as an opportunity to develop and model healthy and active lifestyles for our children, helping to reduce childhood obesity and encouraging a love for the outdoors.”
 
City residents, along  with thousands of children nationwide, are invited to participate in the grassroots movement to reclaim America’s parks through play.
 
Each year, the Living  Traditions Festival hosts Living Traditions Kids where children ages 12 and younger can explore various cultures through outdoor play, traditional arts and crafts.  The activities are colorful, educational and result in handmade crafts that children can take home.  Living Traditions Kids is open May 19-20, from 1 – 5 p.m.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
The National Park Trust invites residents to take photos of their visit to the Living Traditions Festival and submit them to Buddy@BuddyBison.org for possible inclusion in the national map. Residents can also be counted in the National Kids to Parks tally by signing up at www.kidstoparks.org.
 
To learn more about Living Traditions Kids, visit www.livingtraditionsfestival.com/kids.
 
 
WHAT:    Salt Lake City Kids to Parks Day and Living Traditions Kids
 
WHEN:    May 19–20
               1–5 p.m.
 
WHERE:        Washington Square Park
                     451 S. State Street