The state-of-the-art outdoor play area, which is located on the southwest corner of the hospital, measures more than 1,700 square feet and will provide a safe and fun escape for Children's Hospital of Michigan patients and their families. The Red Wings Play Zone is ADA-accessible and will offer an outdoor setting for patients' rehabilitation programs.
Wednesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony will be highlighted by patients, families and staff playing with the new equipment, in addition to appearances by Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard, Ilitch Holdings, Group President for Sports and Entertainment Chris Granger, Children's Hospital of Michigan CEO Luanne Thomas Ewald, and Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation President & CEO Lawrence J. Burns.
The Children's Hospital of Michigan all-inclusive Red Wings Play Zone includes the following features: a custom 8-foot tall by 10-foot wide Al the Octopus sensory structure, a SmartPlay® tree house with a slide, a Cozy Dome® quiet space, and poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing branded with the Red Wings' iconic Winged Wheel logo.
In partnership with the Children's Hospital of Michigan and the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation, the Red Wings Play Zone was made possible thanks to donations to the Red Wings Wish Club, which allows fans to submit a special message to be displayed on the video board during Red Wings' home games by donating to the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
Since 1995, the Red Wings Wish Club has raised more than $400,000 for the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation, and has covered the costs of the Family Center adjacent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, rehabilitation equipment and MRI goggles to help patients reduce anxiety when undergoing an MRI screening.
Additionally, the Red Wings support the Children's Hospital of Michigan with various programs throughout the year, including the annual donation of children's toys and gifts through the SNOWPILE program and the full-team holiday visit to the hospital.
The Red Wings Play Zonewas formerly located inside the lobby of the Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, but was moved to accommodate hospital renovations.
Children and their families are encouraged to use the hashtag #RedWingsPlayZone and #ExplorePlayImagine, when posting photos on social media of the Red Wings Play Zone.
For additional information on the Red Wings Wish Club or to make a donation, visit
www.DetroitRedWings.com/WishClub
.
About Detroit Red Wings Community Relations:
The Detroit Red Wings are dedicated to providing opportunities and experiences that use the power of hockey to unite metro Detroit youth, families and neighbors through compassionate, innovative engagement. Each year, the Detroit Red Wings provide significant support to hundreds of nonprofit organizations throughout Michigan, Ohio and Canada. For more information, visit
www.DetroitRedWings.com/Community
.
About the Children's Hospital of Michigan:
For over 130 years, the Children's Hospital of Michigan has been dedicated to providing high quality care to children and adolescents in a caring, efficient and family-centered environment. With more than 40 pediatric medical and surgical specialty services, the hospital draws patients from nearly every Michigan County, 39 additional states, and 22 countries, annually and provides the highest level of pediatric specialty care available for children. The hospital is a national leader in Cancer, Gastroenterology & Gastrointestinal Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology, and Urology. It is ranked as one of America's best hospitals for children and sees more children than any hospital in the state. Children's Hospital of Michigan is one of eight hospitals operated by the Detroit Medical Center (DMC).
About Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation:
Established in 2003, Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation is the state's largest funder dedicated solely to advancing the health and wellness of the children of Michigan. Through funding and advocacy the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation enables researchers and community organizations to identify and implement innovations capable of advancing children's health. Since 2011 it has provided more than 40 million in grant funding. Its current areas of focus include mental health, nutritional wellness, abuse and neglect, oncology and cardiology research and injury prevention.
