Media Release
Contact FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin C. Rabago, Sr.
(856) 451-3407
BRIDGETON “PLAY STREETS” KICKS-OFF JULY 17TH
AT DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT PLAZA
For Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly, “Play Streets” is one of
the answers to a question he gets asked every summer; namely what is there for
kids to do once school lets out. After listing several activities for 2019 that
includes soccer camp, zoo camp at the Cohanzick Zoo, the Splash Park, and weekly
library programs, he highlights “Bridgeton Play Streets” which will take place
Wednesdays at the downtown Riverfront Plaza from 4pm to 6pm beginning July 17th.
Open to youth of all ages, Bridgeton Play Streets will
host a number of activities including kickball, various water games, dance,
arts and crafts, and bouncy houses. The Play Streets program, part of the Cumberland
County Positive Youth Development Coalition’s county-wide juvenile delinquency
prevention efforts, is being sponsored locally by Complete Care, Bridgeton PAL,
Bridgeton Public Schools, Greater Bridgeton Family Success Center, and the
Cumberland County Health Department.
“Bridgeton Play Streets is a great summer activity for
our youth because it allows our young people to play and socialize in a safe,
supervised, and structured environment during the summer when school is out.
It’s centrally located in downtown at the riverfront, it’s easy to get to and
it really is a festive atmosphere”, said Kelly.
Each Wednesday afternoon from 4:00pm to 6:00pm from
mid-July thru mid-August, the riverfront plaza will be closed off to cars and
transformed into a pop-up play area. There is no cost or registration to
participate in Bridgeton Play Streets. While youth of all ages are welcome, the
program is targeting youth ages 6-14.
The Cumberland
County Positive Youth Development Coalition started in Vineland in 2009 with
guidance and technical assistance provided by the Walter Rand Institute for
Public Affairs at Rutgers– Camden. Going county-wide in 2013, the coalition brings
together various stakeholders from the fields of education, law enforcement,
social services, faith-based, and youth-serving organizations in order to
reduce juvenile delinquency and prevent youth from ending up in the criminal
justice system as adults.
“Play Streets is just one part of a larger effort by a
lot of groups and individuals working in the coalition to help steer our young
people in as many positive ways as possible. In addition to socializing with
peers, the program allows our youth to connect with adults and mentors who care
and want to help. Positive change for young people often comes through those
types of relationships that begin through activities like Play Streets.” Kelly
said.
# # #
To learn
more about the City of Bridgeton, please visit www.cityofbridgeton.com
Use anonymous TIP411 Text Service to report
crime by texting “Bridgeton” plus your tip to 847411