The City of Mountlake Terrace received a Playful City U.S.A. designation for the fourth time. The national recognition program honors cities and towns across the country for making their cities more “playable.”

Mountlake Terrace has 269 acres of parks and open spaces and recently completed the Ballinger Park Master Plan.

“It’s a great honor for the City of Mountlake Terrace to receive this designation for the fourth year in a row,” Recreation and Parks Director Jeff Betz said. “This shows that the city continues to support play and includes it in its plans for the future.”

Communities across the country are creating innovative ways to attract residents through family friendly activities and play opportunities. Interactive sidewalk art, designated play spaces on trails and the transformation of schoolyards into active play areas are just a few examples of how cities are becoming more playful.

“We are thrilled to recognize these communities that have invested their time and efforts to put kids first,” KaBOOM! CEO James Siegal said. “Balanced and active play is crucial to the well-being of kids and the communities that they thrive in.”

To learn more about the City of Mountlake Terraces’ parks and open spaces, visit www.mltrec.com.

To learn more about these cities, see the full list of the 257 communities named 2016 Playful City U.S.A. honorees, visit www.playfulcityusa.org.