Childhood isn't what it used to be.

When I was a kid I would spend my days splashing in creeks searching for salamanders and rocks that I thought were cool, climbing trees to the tippy top and shouting out at the top of my lungs, and playing Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or Mortal Combat on the front lawn with neighborhood kids.

Of course I would watch TV, but it was not eight hours out of my day, it was more like four or less, and Nintendo was something that filled my weekends and not every day of the week.

I am sure childhood in 2013 is completely different than childhood in the 1990s, either way something big is coming to Savannah that will make a huge difference in how kids see playing.

Play Streets is coming on April 28, 2013 as a way to bring back activity to the kids' play schedule. To encourage kids to be active and stay active for a lifetime instead of just at recess at school.

Last year on July 18, 2012, Partnership for a Healthier America’s Honorary Chair, First Lady Michelle Obama, announced an opportunity that will turn our nation’s streets into spaces to play and encourage more physical activity in the lives of children across the country.

Play Streets is Partnership for a Healthier America’s way of helping make that opportunity a reality.

Play Streets will close off specific streets from traffic on a regular basis and open this area up to the community, this will encourage physical activity. There will be opportunity for a positive and high-impact approach to encouraging and increasing physical activity, particularly in neighborhoods that lack the capability to have open space for activity.

Savannah is one of ten cities nationwide selected as participants in the 2013 Play Streets Series. This series is supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Partnership for a Healthier America, and brings public events for families to the streets which will give children and families a chance to be active!

Below are the dates and events in Savannah that Play Streets will be in action. To learn the future times you can go to the website here, http://wellfedsavannah.com/playstreets/

Sunday, April 28, 2013 Chalk Sports Ciclovia Play Street
Time: 2pm-5pm
Where: Lincoln Street Corridor

Sunday, May 19, 2013 Bicycle Block Party Play Street
Time: TBD
Where: Pennsylvania Avenue Corridor

Sunday, September 15, 2013 Skate and Shake Play Street
Time: TBD
Where: West Savannah Corridor

Saturday, October 26, 2013 Fall Food Fest Play Street
Time: TBD
Where: May Street Corridor

You can follow Play Streets on Facebook.

So, I hope you will take this great opportunity to interact not only with your children, but with your community as well, Play Streets is an opportunity for Savannah to reconnect both physically and emotionally, and bring all of us together for fun in a kid friendly and loving southern city!

Written by: Amber Dyson