Hike Summit County Metroparks

Naturalist Renell Simrau of the Metro Parks serving Summit County, talks with kids at Brushwood Lake in the Furnace Run area in Richfield on June 27, 2013. Lindsay Maloney and her children, Jack, 3, and Cecilia, 6, of Hudson watch Joshua Rutkowski, 7, of Richfield fish. Akron was named a 2015 Playful City USA, in part for the programs offered through the metroparks

(Scott Shaw/Plain Dealer Publishing Co. )

AKRON, Ohio -- For the first time ever, Akron was named one of 241 Playful City USA designees by a non-profit organization that advocates for kids to get more play time. But what exactly does that mean?

Kaboom, a non-profit organization that builds and rebuilds playgrounds in cash strapped cities, designates a list of playful cities every year, cities that Kaboom and partner Humana Foundation say make play a priority.

The organization's website builds on pediatric research saying kids with space to engage in play, whether that be parks, playgrounds or other safe open spaces, perform better as they grow older, have better mental health and are happier.

Akron was one of four Ohio cities to make this year's Playful Cities USA list, along with Columbus, Chevia and Piqua.

"Akron has been mindful to engage in unique and fun projects to make our City playful," Akron Mayor Jeff Fusco said in a news release. "Through no- and low-cost interesting and interactive programs, we are trying to appeal to our residents of all ages, and to attract and retain residents."

The city listed investments in playgrounds at community learning centers, free concerts and Summit County Metroparks programs as amenities that contributed to its inclusion in the Kaboom list.