CELEBRATED PLAY STREETS INITIATIVE COMING TO DOWNTOWN VINELAND FOR FIVE FRIDAYS THIS SUMMER
One Block of Sixth Street to be Dedicated to a Multi-Themed Celebration of Play on June 29, July 6, 13, 20, and 27 Collaboration Between Main Street Vineland, Vineland Community Policing Unit, Cumberland County Positive Youth Development Coalition, and Civic and Non-Profit Organizations.
VINELAND, NJ—Play Streets, a major initiative in cities and towns across the country that turns downtown streets into celebrations of play for youngsters, will be coming to downtown Vineland for five consecutive Fridays this summer.
A collaboration between Main Street Vineland, Vineland Community Policing Unit, Cumberland County Positive Youth Development Coalition, and several civic and non-profit organization, this event will take place on June 29, July 6, 13, 20, and 27 on Sixth Street, between Landis Avenue and Elmer Street. That block will be closed to traffic on those days.
Called “a playground in a box” Play Streets offers constructive outdoor play opportunities for youngsters while, at the same time, creating a family-friendly atmosphere on the streets. The program, organized in this county by the Cumberland County Positive Youth Development Coalition, has already taken root in Millville and Bridgeton. It has also been highly successful in such urban centers as Philadelphia, New York City, and Los Angeles.
The schedule of events is as follows (events to take place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.,)
June 29: Fitness and Health (host: Vineland Health Department)—yoga, youth fitness initiative, obstacle course, Zumba, dietician
July 6: Carnival Day (host: Vineland Municipal Event Planner)—children’s tattoos, dunk tank, inflatable goal posts, Kenny the Clown with magic show and balloon animals
July 13: Field Day/Blacktop Bash (host: Daniel’s Den Community Center)—Duck Duck Goose with water sponges, white shirts to be decorated with water color bubbles
July 20: Express Yourself (host: Vineland Public Library)—Pokémon station, “Tell Your Story” magnetic board, photo fun with selfees station, sidewalk chalk, bag design, scavenger hunt
July 27: Public Safety Day (host: Vineland Police Department)—Vineland Fire Department, Vineland EMS, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department, Cape May County Sheriff’s Department Mounted Patrol with horse, drunk goggles for youth, games, and basketball
Each week will also include a DJ, hot dogs, snacks, and a bounce house.
“This is a marvelous program that accomplishes so much good for downtown communities,” said Main Street Vineland Executive Director Robert Swanson. “It brings people of all ages downtown, it provides fun and fresh air for our youngsters in a safe, structured environment, and it brings community agencies together for a wonderful cause. Please come down and have a great time.”
For more information on this and all Main Street Vineland events, call the Main Street Vineland office at 856-794-8653, visit the organization’s website at www.theave.biz, or visit the organization’s Facebook page.
