THE CHALLENGE

The Kirkwood Mall is an older shopping center that opened in 1970. The CBL management team has been seeking to make upgrades that appeal to today’s consumers, including replacing the existing play area. Soft Play executed the original installation and was an obvious choice to complete the new project.

CBL and the Kirkwood Mall management staff also needed to find a sponsor for the new play area. Sanford Health seemed to be a viable candidate to support the project.

The mall’s assistant general manager indicated that the medical entity was an excellent project partner for several reasons. The organization already sponsors play areas in other municipalities, giving it invaluable insight into the Kirkwood project. It also believes in promoting children’s health and wellness.

THE DESIGN

The next step entailed creating a design for the play area that would appeal to the Sanford Health team. Soft Play went right to work developing drawings that incorporated an imaginative theme that would captivate kids and entice them to use the equipment.

The CBL team indicated that it didn’t take long for Sanford Health to greenlight the project. The drawings for the new play area generated by Soft Play — complete with branded elements representing Sanford Health — made a favorable impression and inspired confidence in the project.

THE FEATURES

After receiving the go-ahead, the Soft Play team went to work bringing the vision for the Kirkwood Mall play area to life. The refurbished space includes a Middle Ages theme with several elements that support the concept.

Kids have numerous fun play options, including a castle they can crawl in and around and a friendly-looking dragon they can pretend to ride. There’s also a log, frog, turtle, butterflies and even a helicopter.

As families enter the play area, they get to meet the official teddy bear mascot of the Sanford Children’s Hospital. Other branding features appear on the castle and helicopter, both of which highlight the hospital’s logo.

Soft Play didn’t forget about the parents when designing the new play area. Plenty of cushioned seats ring the play elements, allowing moms and dads to watch their kids as they’re having fun.

THE OUTCOME

All stakeholders are thrilled with the project’s results and offer rave reviews for the Soft Play team’s performance and professionalism.

The CBL team loved the effort put forth by Soft Play when crafting specific designs that met Sanford Health’s expectations. The team also appreciated how Soft Play communicated swiftly and clearly during every project phase and followed up promptly to questions and concerns.

The mall staff was also pleased with the way Soft Play executed the project, particularly with the thoroughness of the cleanup after installation. According to the mall’s assistant general manager, it was hard to tell that a major construction job had recently occurred unless you were there to observe the work.

The nearby retailers should reap the benefits of the new play area as well. The anticipated increase in foot traffic means there will be more shoppers visiting their stores and making purchases. The presence of larger crowds can also make the Kirkwood Mall more inviting to retailers looking for a prime selling location.

While the play area offers many commercial and financial benefits, the mall’s management staff is most pleased that it provides a healthy play experience for families. Management also expressed the importance of having an indoor area for kids to play, given the severity of the North Dakota winters.

Contact Soft Play for Your Next Playground Equipment Project

Are you considering adding a play area to your mall, day care center, medical facility or restaurant? Soft Play has been providing a better alternative to traditional play structures since 1984. We’ve earned the trust of some of America’s most well-known and respected brands. We’ve also performed installations in more than 60 countries around the world.

When you partner with us, you’ll benefit from our unwavering commitment to excellence. Our goal is to deliver a positive, fun play experience that adds value for facility owners, project sponsors and end users.

Contact us to learn more about our products and services or request a no-obligation project quote.