The City of Somerville will join more than 300 communities across the country to celebrate National Kids to Parks Day on May 18. Kids to Parks Day, in its third year, is organized by the National Park Trust to celebrate the First Lady’s Let’s Move Outside! Initiative, encouraging active play and utilizing open space in cities and towns across the 50 states. On Saturday, May 18 from 1 to 3 p.m., the City of Somerville will host family-friendly activities at Hodgkins Park on Holland Street, including Somerville Youth Football League registration and info sessions, Parkour and Shobu Aikido demonstrations, and youth activities by Somerville Recreation. The event is free and open to all members of the public.

“In a cty of just 4.1 square miles, our parks, playgrounds and open spaces are at a premium. We have made a strong commitment to preserving, updating and increasing open space throughout the city, and we take every opportunity we can to showcase our community gems and to encourage opportunities for being active,” said Mayor Curtatone. “First Lady Michelle Obama has been a tremendous activist and role model in terms of addressing childhood obesity by promoting physical activity, and National Kids to Parks day is a great extension of her Let’s Move! initiative. We look forward to continuing to grow our own Kids to Parks Day movement here in Somerville. This year, it also happens to coincide with our popular PorchFest, so it will be a great day to get out and enjoy the outdoors on May 18.”

For a full list of national Kids to Parks Day events go to www.kidstoparks.org