The Eastwood Mall in Niles, Ohio, is among the most expansive retail shopping centers in the United States. The complex is the site of multiple department stores, shops, eateries, lodging accommodations and entertainment features.
The mall also includes a play area that was installed in 2006. When Cafaro Company, the property management and real estate development firm that owns the complex, wanted to upgrade the playground, the team contacted Soft Play® about spearheading the project.
Joe Bell, the Cafaro Company’s communications director, understood the need to upgrade the play area. He also wanted input regarding the best way to approach the project. He decided to consult with a mall tenant, who proved to be a fountain of inspiration.
The individual was a dental professional who operated an office within the mall. He recognized that supporting a new play site would help fulfill his mission of improving kids’ oral health while also providing additional branding and marketing opportunities for his practice.
The dental professional who inspired the vision for the play area is Dr. Daniel G. Very, DMD, MDS, the owner of Very Orthodontics. Dr. Very has dedicated his practice, which consists of offices in the Eastwood Mall, Boardman, Ohio and Wexford, Pennsylvania, to helping young kids, teens and adults develop and maintain healthier, more confident smiles.
After his fruitful conversation with Bell, Dr. Very knew he would need approval from the Cafaro Company to bring his vision to life. He met with the Cafaro brothers to discuss his sponsorship plan and seek their support.
The Cafaros loved the idea. Along with Dr. Very, they asked Soft Play to design a play area with an underwater theme based on “Captain McFinn & Friends,” a popular children’s book series created by one of the Cafaro brothers. These books use the adventures of Captain Finn and a cast of characters named Inky, Coral Rose, Gem, Tox, Bella, Stink and Stank, and Three Tooth to teach kids valuable social and emotional lessons.
The Cafaros agreed to name the upgraded play area “The Very Orthodontics Smile Cove” after its sponsor. Upon completing the new design, Soft Play went to work bringing the vision to life and creating a memorable experience for the kids and their parents.
Examples of the many exciting features integrated into the cove include:
Bell says that he had a strong sense that the new playground would be a hit during the construction phase based on the positive reaction from curious kids. He indicated that he often saw kids poking their heads through the draperies surrounding the work area and coming out with amazed expressions on their faces.
The excitement continued to grow as the completion of the new play area drew near, and the opening exceeded all expectations. Kids and their parents flocked to the site and were thrilled with what they discovered.
At Soft Play, we’ve been reimagining play areas since 1984. Over the years, we’ve grown to become the global leader in contained playground equipment — we now have installations in over 60 countries. Our expertise and collaborative project approach enable us to transform your vision of offering a positive, fun-filled experience into a reality.
Discover what makes Soft Play the best choice for your playground equipment needs. Take the next step and contact a representative to discuss your project today. You can also request a no-obligation quote.