As a child, Kenmore Mayor David Baker remembers his mother sending him outside to play at 9 a.m. and telling him not to come home until 5 p.m.

This Saturday, the hours will be from noon to 3 p.m. when the City of Kenmore Play Day will be in session at Rhododendron Park, 6910 N.E. 170th St.

The city will provide free hot dogs and drinks to all attendees.

Last month, national nonprofit KaBOOM! selected Kenmore as one of 118 “Playful City USA” communities recognized for keeping kids active and healthy. One thing that caught KaBOOM!’s eye was Kenmore partnering with Bastyr University in a 10-year joint-use agreement to increase access to sport fields in the city.

The city also renovated Rhododendron Park, adding play equipment and a full basketball court.

“An extreme misconception exists in our country that play among children is a luxury when, in fact, it’s an absolute necessity,” said Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! CEO and co-founder. “For decades, this notion dominated our actions and we continue to see the damaging results: a monumental lack of playspaces for children and sky-rocketing childhood obesity rates. Kenmore refused to adhere to the status quo and realized all children deserve a municipal commitment to the cause of play.”