A NEW, INCLUSIVE PLACE TO PLAY
As a special education teacher and administrator for more than twenty years, Kristen Bonn was often uncomfortable with the lack of opportunities for kids to play, especially children with disabilities.
“Play isn’t just fun; it’s how we learn, grow, and connect,” says Bonn. “It’s a universal language everyone should speak.”
After spending decades in education, Bonn decided it was time to pivot; but she still wanted to make an impact on the well-being of families. This April, she opened Play Palace, an indoor playground in Town Centre Plaza in Henrietta.
The facility is sensory-friendly and accessible to kids of all abilities. It features a large play structure, themed play areas, swings, sensory rooms, an event space for parties, and more.
To create a truly inclusive space, Bonn installed fully dimmable LED lights throughout the building, and the sensory rooms and event space have been sound-dampened. Sound-dampening headphones are also available, and communication cards and a picture menu hang near the concession stand for visitors who have difficulties with verbal communication.
Staff undergo training to foster an inclusive environment, which includes education around sensory sensitivities, methods of communication, and mobility considerations, says Bonn.
Since opening Play Palace, she adds, “We’ve seen so many instances of children and adults of varying abilities interacting and playing together seamlessly. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our mission of inclusivity truly come to life and to witness the genuine connections being made. That sense of belonging we aimed for is really shining through, even more than I had anticipated.” rocplaypalace.com
FOCUSING ON STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH
Rochester City School District board commissioner Isaiah Santiago, the youngest-ever RCSD board member, has proposed an ad hoc mental health committee to review how the district is handling student mental health.
The board approved Santiago’s proposal, and a volunteer-based committee is expected to convene for the first time in September. The committee will consist of students, parents, teachers, school administrators, board members, and community representatives.
Santiago’s proposal lists six key areas of concern for the committee to address, including mental health training for school staff, reducing stigma around mental health issues, and crisis response, to name a few. The committee will analyze current district policies, data, and programs in place, looking for opportunities for improvement.
GET AIR TRAMPOLINE PARK
Earlier this spring, Get Air Trampoline Park, an international franchise, opened a new location in the Lowe’s Plaza in Greece.
The indoor trampoline park offers dodgeball, foam pits, a ninja obstacle course, wall-to-wall trampolines, and more. A separate jumping area for children under forty-six inches tall is available, and young children also have access to foam pits and more. Facility rentals are available for birthday parties, corporate events, and other special events.
Get Air has summer camps scheduled for this year, and periodic sensory-friendly sessions (called A Special Time for You) are available for guests who prefer a quieter, calmer environment.
The park encourages visitors to complete a jump waiver online before arriving. Children under ten years old require a parent present while they enjoy the park. getairsports.com/rochester
ISLAND VIBES
The largest Caribbean festival in Western New York, Carifest, will take place in Rochester on August 9.
The thirty-ninth annual festival, hosted by the Rochester West Indian Festival Organization (RWIFO), will kick off with a colorful costume parade starting at West Main Street and Plymouth Avenue. The parade will end at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park, where the festival will take place.
Local and international musical talent will perform sounds from the region, including reggae, calypso, dancehall, Afrobeats, and more. Festivalgoers can indulge in authentic Caribbean food and beverages, and experience visual and performing arts at the event.
A free Kids’ Village will provide education on the culture, and children will have an opportunity to participate in arts and crafts activities there. Free bookbags, packed with back-to-school supplies, will be provided to kids. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit RWIFO’s annual college scholarship fund for students of Caribbean descent. rwifo.com/carifest
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of (585) Kids.
Views: 3
