Press Release | Office of the Mayor | Council Adopts Proclamation Declaring June - August 2019 "Play Ball Summer" in Westland

For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 734.422.1230

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Council Adopts Proclamation Declaring June - August 2019

"Play Ball Summer" in Westland

Westland, MI (May 7, 2019) - On Monday, May 6 the Westland City Council adopted a proclamation declaring the months of June through August of 2019, "Play Ball Summer" in the City of Westland.

Last weekend, the Westland Youth Athletic Association celebrated their opening day as part of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) continued support of the "Play Ball Summer" initiative, which focuses on the fun nature of baseball and encourages an active and healthy lifestyle for kids in all communities. During the Summer of 2019 Mayors are implementing the initiative throughout cities with the goal of strengthening the connection of communities with the National Pastime.

The event featured T-ball and baseball games played with kids of all ages at the baseball fields located at the Wayne Ford Civic League. Attendees were treated to music, a cookout and a special guest appearance by "Paws," the Detroit Tigers' mascot.

Mayors across the country are hosting activities with a baseball and softball theme to engage citizens, families, and city departments through individual and community events (such as playing catch, running bases in the backyard, family gatherings, park and recreation activities, business-supported activities, etc.). These activities will be focused on exposing children to baseball and softball while
providing a fun opportunity to remain active throughout the summer.

"As a former WYAA participant, it was wonderful to see so many kids enjoying the great sport of baseball," commented Mayor Wild. "Youth sports and recreation activities are crucial in the development of fundamental skills for kids and the lessons they learn stick with them for their entire lives."

The Play Ball Summer initiative with the USCM focuses on recruiting cities to promote and support PLAY BALL through the use of baseball or softball-related activities. Primary targets are cities with Major League and Minor League Baseball clubs, although the initiative toolkit and self-reporting strategy will be electronically distributed to hundreds of cities across the country with the
assistance of Major League Baseball.

Local leaders and citizens will report their activities to PLAYBALL.org via usmayors.org. The site provides parents, coaches and kids with information on how to get involved with "Play Ball" activities as well as how to join community baseball and softball leagues. Coaching tips and video tutorials from
Major League Baseball players and coaches are also a prominent component of the site.

For more information and to apply please visit www.usmayors.org.

For more information, please call Kathy Suchora at (734)467-3200

Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City. Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas. The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.

In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities. Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Westland Fire Department are licensed paramedics who responded to over 9,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based. They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.

Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds of shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, one of the country's original four regional malls.

Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more than 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more. One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best School in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards. Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region. Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.