City of Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019) – Want to get from the Strong
Museum of Play to the Central Library or take in the gorgeous vistas of the
Genesee River Downtown? You could drive. Or, you could play your way there!
Mayor Lovely A. Warren was joined by youth and community members today to cut a
ribbon on the Play Walk, a new, playful sidewalk trail along Chestnut and Court
Streets between the Strong Museum and the Central Library.
“The Play Walk is a first-of-its-kind project that grew from
the community, for the benefit of the community,” Mayor Warren said. “I am so
proud of the youth design team who designed the walk. Innovations like the Play
Walk set Rochester apart and create more jobs, safer and more vibrant
neighborhoods, which ultimately lead to better educational opportunities.”
The Play Walk features permanently installed large format
games and activities such as a distortion mirror, foosball and a four-in-a-row
game and musical instruments such as keyboards, marimbas and chimes. Yellow and
blue sidewalk dots and cubes mark the trail, which features murals and playful
upcycled newspaper boxes that offer a place for free book sharing.
“With the Play Walk, we’re not only ’ROC-ing the
Riverway,’we’re ‘PLAYing the Riverway,” Mayor Warren continued. “Play Walk is
one of the many exciting initiatives underway embracing our Mighty Genesee,
which fueled our past and will now fuel our future.”
The idea for Play Walk came from a community brainstorming
session and a youth survey conducted by Healthi Kids, an initiative of Common
Ground Health. It is funded by a Play Everywhere grant from KaBOOM! and the
Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield with in-kind
support from the City of Rochester and the Rochester Public Library.
“Play is critical for the health and development of all
children’s minds and bodies,” said Jenn Beideman, advocacy manager for Common
Ground Health. “Places like the play walk allow for every day spaces to be
turned into moments of wonder and learning for any kid or family can enjoy at
any time. By connecting kid-friendly locations through vibrant outdoor spaces,
Rochester is leading the way in kid-friendly environments and
play.”
A youth design team from the Central Library worked with
local artist Shawn Dunwoody and landscape artist Sue Steele to design the play
walk, alongside a planning committee of community partners.
Other partners include the Rochester Public Library, the
Strong Museum of Play, the Friends and Foundation of the Rochester Public
Library, area neighborhood coalitions and businesses and members of the Healthi
Kids coalition.
For more information on Play Walk, visit: www.playwalkroc.fun/
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica
Alaimo at 428-7135.
About KaBOOM!: KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated
to giving all kids – especially those living in poverty – the childhood they
deserve through great, safe places to play. KaBOOM! inspires communities to
make play the easy choice and works to drive the national discussion about the
importance of PLAYces.
About Built to Play: KaBOOM! and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
Foundation have teamed up to give kids across Southeast Michigan and Western
New York more opportunities for kid-driven free play thanks to the Built to
Play initiative. Together, they are transforming sidewalks and vacant lots, bus
stops, waiting areas and beyond with creative installations that provide more
play opportunities to the kids who need it most.