Eleven schools across West Virginia will be getting playground improvement grants as part of an effort to combat childhood obesity.

State leaders announced Friday the distribution of $527,000 in grants.

The grants will go to Valley Elementary in Preston County, Nitro Elementary in Kanawha County, George Ward Elementary in Randolph County, Valley Head Elementary in Randolph County, Mill Creek Intermediate in Berkeley County, Mountain View Elementary and Middle School in Monroe County, Midway Elementary in Lincoln County, Junior Elementary in Barbour County, Martin Elementary in Wood County, Culloden Elementary in Cabell County, and Gilbert Elementary in Mingo County.

The grants are being distributed by the state Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Resources and the Bureau for Public Health.

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