Play Streets Initiative to Kick Off in Downtown Vineland on June 29 with Live Healthy Vineland Day
Hosted by Vineland Health Department
Beginning of Five Fridays of Multi-Themed Celebration of Play on Sixth Street
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 kick off in downtown Vineland on Friday, June 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Live Health Vineland Day, hosted by the Vineland Health Department.
The activities for that and the subsequent five weeks will take place on Sixth Street, between Landis Avenue and Elmer Street and that block will be closed to traffic on those days.
The activities for Live Health Vineland Day will include various exercises courtesy of Rowan Exercise is Medicine; a spin art bike that paints a picture while you ride, courtesy of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; wellness on wheels, with the WOW Mobile; yoga, courtesy of Vineland’s Peace Love Yoga; exercise and nutrition, courtesy of the Vineland Health Department’s Fit Youth Initiative; youth exercise programs, courtesy of Inspira Fitness Connection; Zumba and an obstacle course, courtesy of the YMCA; nutritional information from the Shop Rite dietician; hula hoop exercise, courtesy of Hooping It Out; dance exercises from Miss Vineland; and health information, courtesy of PRAC of Southern New Jersey and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Play Streets is a collaboration between Main Street Vineland, Vineland Community Policing Unit, Cumberland County Positive Youth Development Coalition, and several civic and non-profit organizations.
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 future Play Streets will be as follows:
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 ,face painting, egg race, marshmallow toys
July 20: Express Yourself (host: Vineland Public Library/Monarch Family Success Center)—Express yourself with Pokémon Station, “Tell Your Story” Station with emoji cards and magnetic poetry, Selfees Station for photo fun with props, Sidewalk Chalk with washable chalk, Scavenger Hunt/”Design Your Own Bag” Station for visiting all that week’s activities.
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, and snacks.
“We’re really excited about kicking off this marvelous program that has accomplished so much good for downtown communities where it has been implemented,” said Main Street Vineland Executive Director Russell 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. Come down, one and all, 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.
