The 3rd annual Ultimate Play Day is taking place Sunday in Hazelwood to get families to enjoy the nice weather and play with a wide variety of games, puzzles, bubbles and more .
The Play Day will have an audio playground, where people can make themselves sound like a cartoon character; an imagination playground with supersized foam blocks and erector sets; loose parts playground where people can build things such as soccer balls out of cardboard; spin art on bikes; cornhole; drums; nature play with materials from the woods; and an adaptation of tug-a-war on logs, among many other activities.
Cara Ciminillo, the operations director for the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children says play is important for all ages, “for young children it’s what builds resistance, it’s what hones problem solving, it’s physical development, it’s an opportunity to think about how to take appropriate risks, and to build confidence. As you age it’s a way for your mind to stay sharp. It’s a way for your body to stay moving, and healthy.”
This year the event moved from Schenley Plaza to Burgwin Park in Hazelwood, to celebrate the new spray park. The spray park will open closer to summer, but at Play Day there will be a “ribbon cutting ceremony” only with blowing bubbles instead.
“It’s really an opportunity I think for folks to see a different part of town if you’re not from Hazelwood. It’s an opportunity for Hazelwood residents to celebrate their own neighborhood, and their own up-coming park with the spray park,” said Ciminillo.
They’re predicating about 400 people at the event—similar to last year’s turnout.
The event will have light snacks: water, fruit, and Smiley Cookies. It is free, and takes place from 1-4pm. The weather is supposed to be in the sixties with sunshine.
