FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

PlayCore, Inc., Wins AAPAR’s Presidential Citation

Reston, VA – Richard J. LaRue, president of the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR), has awarded PlayCore, Inc., with an AAPAR Presidential Citation. As one of AAPAR's PAR Three consultants, PlayCore collaborated with AAPAR to produce the popular curriculum Play On! Playground Learning Activities for Youth Fitness. This year, AAPAR and PlayCore are teaming up to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

"We wanted to show our appreciation for PlayCore's partnership with AAPAR on the Play On! program and their dedication to enriching childhood through play," LaRue said.

Play On! promotes overall fitness, learning, and fun through six key elements of play that support physical activity, help to develop wellness habits, and meet national standards.

The award will be presented during AAPAR's General Session & Keynote Address on Thursday, April 2, 2009, at this year's American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD) National Convention & Exposition in Tampa, FL, from 8:45 – 10:00 a.m. in Room 13 of the Tampa Convention Center. Lisa Moore, PlayCore's Vice President for Corporate Strategic Services, will accept the citation on behalf of PlayCore.

"We're excited to be working with PlayCore in promoting the Play On! program, and it dovetails nicely with our new Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play," Mariah Burton Nelson, executive director of AAPAR, said. "We're confident that the Play On! program will help children reconnect with their love of creative and healthful play."

###

Contact:
AAPAR Communications Coordinator
aapar@aahperd.org
703-476-3430

PlayCore is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of playground equipment, surfacing, site amenity, fitness, and related play products. For more information, visit www.playcore.com.

AAPAR, one of 5 national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), serves more than 8,600 professors, teachers, trainers, and community leaders who promote meaningful physical activity and recreation across the lifespan. AAPAR advocates fitness and fun for every body, with a focus on inclusive community based programs.

The vision of AAHPERD is "Healthy People – Physically Educated and Physically Active!" Headquartered in Reston, VA, 25 miles west of Washington, DC, AAHPERD is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, physical activity, dance, school health and sport--all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. Its mission is to advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance and sport by providing its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. For more information, visit www.aahperd.org.