Children's Hospital of Michigan unveils new Red Wings Play Zone

DETROIT -- More than 250 people joined together on a chilly Wednesday morning in Detroit to witness the Children's Hospital of Michigan unveil its new state-of-the-art Red Wings Play Zone.

Children's Hospital of Michigan CEO Luanne Thomas Ewald and Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation President Larry Burns were joined by Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard, Olympia Entertainment President & CEO Tom Wilson and several patients and community members for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Red Wings Play Zone on the hospital's northwest side.
The outdoor area, which was constructed after several years of fundraising efforts by the Red Wings Wish Club, measures more than 1,700 square feet, is ADA-accessible and will provide a safe and fun escape for hospital patients and their families.
"After more than a year of planning, we're excited to finally unveil the Red Wings Play Zone for all to enjoy at the Children's Hospital of Michigan," said Kevin Brown, Director of Community Relations and Detroit Red Wings Foundation. "This new space allows children of all abilities to take their minds off health-related issues and, instead, explore, play and imagine together."
The inclusive play zone features a custom 8-by-10-foot Al the Octopus sensory structure, a SmartPlay® tree house with a slide, a Cozy Dome® quiet space and rubber safety flooring branded with the iconic Winged Wheel logo.
The playground, which transformed a previously unused outdoor area into a beautiful haven for children, is adorned with colorful rocks painted by hospital patients, families and staff with motivational messages. The area serves as another extremely visual stake in the ground for the Red Wings organization within the city of Detroit.
"It's a privilege when you have the kind of visibility that the Red Wings have, you have to take advantage of that," Wilson said. "One of our best days of the year is when the players have a chance to come out here and see the kids, because you're making a difference in their lives.

"And that's the beauty of this play zone is that it's going to take young kids and let them be kids, because they don't get enough chances when they're here going through treatment. So they can come out here and let the cares go away just for a moment. And in that moment, that's where you find the magic. You're once again just a kid."
Ewald, who has been with the Detroit Medical Center organization for 25 years and was named Children's Hospital of Michigan CEO in 2016, said she's extremely appreciative of the support the Red Wings provide throughout the year, including annual initiatives like the SNOWPILE toy and gift collection program and the full-team visit to the hospital during the holidays.
"We have been partners with the Red Wings for a very long time. Our patients and families are huge Red Wings fans, so it's just a natural fit," Ewald said. "The players come visit the kids, and the coaches also come visit the kids, and then we see things like this today, with the Red Wings Wish Club and what it's turned into.
"We can't thank the Red Wings organization enough for what they've done for the kids in this hospital. This is very exciting. It's a special day for us."
Burns echoed Ewald's sentiments about the impact of the partnership with the Red Wings.
"First and foremost, (the Red Wings Play Zone) gives the kids a place to come out when they're in the hospital and play," Burns said. "It also signifies the importance of partnerships with Children's Hospital, with the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation and the Red Wings, and the fans, because a lot of these funds were created by the fans to the Red Wings Foundation (and given) to us. It signifies a team effort, something great for the community and most importantly, for the kids."
In addition to raising the funds necessary to build the Red Wings Play Zone, the Red Wings Wish Club has raised more than $400,000 for the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation since 1995, and has covered the costs of the Family Center adjacent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, as well as rehabilitation equipment and MRI goggles to help reduce anxiety during screenings.
"The Red Wings' longstanding Wish Club partnership with the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation is truly special," Brown said. "Together with our remarkable fans, we're committed to ensuring life-enhancing initiatives continue to benefit children and families in our community for many years to come."

Just as Howard and the hospital patients prepared to cut the ribbon outside the playground, the sun emerged from the clouds to shine a light on a previously gloomy day. After the ribbon was officially cut, Howard accompanied the children as they experienced the Red Wings Play Zone for the very first time.
"Being a parent myself, I can't imagine being one of these parents going through this," said Howard, who has two young sons at home and a baby girl due in two weeks. "So to be able to come down here and help celebrate this new play structure, thanks to our fans and our great organization, is a huge honor for me.
"Being here today is extremely special. These kids, they go through so much and they're so strong. For them to come out here and have a little bit of normalcy and just be kids is huge."