Kaleideum, in conjunction with Novant Health, will open the Rooftop Adventure exhibition with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on June 7 at 10 am. Chad Setliff, SVP, Novant Health, and president of Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center and Novant Health’s greater Winston-Salem region; and Elizabeth Dampier, Kaleideum CEO, will speak briefly at the event.
The Rooftop Adventure exhibition is a captivating intergenerational playground that provides a contrast between an immersive, natural playground in the midst of the colorful modern architectural design to provide an urban oasis for all ages. The design encourages visitors to both release energy, engage in moments of contemplative reflection, and challenge themselves with risk-taking experiences. The Rooftop Adventure is sponsored by Novant Health.
“We’re proud to partner with Kaleideum to deliver a fun and engaging new early childhood enrichment opportunity in the heart of downtown,” said Setliff. “We believe that holistic, high-quality healthcare begins when you go beyond the walls of the hospital to meet patients where they live and play in the community. The Rooftop Adventure will create opportunities for children to literally reach new heights and develop confidence in a safe, yet challenging environment. Whe we’ve grown over the years, Novant Health is proud to be headquartered in Winston-Salem and will continue to focus on working with our community partners to deliver a healthier future for the next generation.”
Rooftop Adventure includes elements that encourage more risky play than a traditional playground. “Research has shown that children are not getting enough opportunities to practice their risk-taking skills,” Dampier said, “and this type of play promotes both physical and mental health.”
The Rooftop Adventure spans the third and fourth floors of Kaleideum and includes many different elements.
· A walking track encourages visitors to exercise while taking in a spectacular skyline view.
· The Adventure Playground by Beanstalk Journey has three slides that will appeal to different ages, a climbing wall, balance beam, and a wheelchair accessible bridge so that all may enjoy the pinnacle experience.
· The Hammock Hangout by Beanstalk Journey provides visitors the opportunity to develop balance and coordination while spinning, to contemplate and reflect while still, or use the rotating hammock cocoons to engage in imaginative play.
· The brand-new Kaleidoscape Climber by Interplay is a colorful, kaleidoscopic piece of artwork that visitors can climb and swing on.
· Throughout the outdoor space, visitors will find artwork by Georgie Nakima, a graduate of Winston-Salem State University.
“We know the community is eagerly awaiting the opening of the Kaleideum Rooftop Adventure — both as a place for families to play and as an event space for rentals,” Dampier said. “We are a destination for all ages, and opening up the roof opens up a world of possibilities.”