Magic, Wonder As Giant Mother Goose Play Structure Debuts: Photos

SOUTHOLD, NY — After months of anticipation, dreams came true at Southold Elementary School Wednesday as an enormous Mother Goose Shoe structure was unveiled.

Magic and wonder were in abundance as teachers dressed as fairy tale characters delighted students, who enjoyed playing spirited games of "duck, duck, goose" in the outdoor amphitheater, painting on large outdoor easels, working in the garden, blowing bubbles, and playing chess with huge oversized pieces.

"Imagine a day at school where the characters from classic fairy tales and nursery rhymes come to life. Now imagine a larger than life Mother Goose Shoe structure standing 12' tall and 20' long appearing before your eyes," the district said in a release.

Perhaps most joyful were the student "tour guides" who brought guests to see each of the school's outdoor offerings, including two apple trees and a perennial garden, describing how they planted tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes and asparagus in the garden and then enjoyed the fruits of their labors in the school cafeteria. Their excitement was a testament to the forever impacts of the memories made while learning outdoors.

"It's a really good feeling," said fifth grader Chloe, describing how she felt to see seeds planted by students taking root and thriving.

"We have a lot of good memories here," said her classmate and fellow tour guide Joey.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell, who attended the festivities, agreed that the experiences were priceless for students. "Looking back at their childhoods, these are going to be some of their fondest memories," he said.

Members of the Board of Education were also in attendance.

Southold Elementary School Principal Ellen O'Neill greeted the crowd. "What an amazing place Southold Elementary School is," she said. Of the Mother Goose structure, she said, "Mr. Gamberg had a vision and without a vision we couldn't get anything done." His dedication and commitment, she said, led to the unveiling.

Gamberg said Rousseau, more than 235 years ago, said, "You will never accomplish your design of forming sensible adults unless you begin by making playful children." He added, "These words are as true today and will likely be true for all time. It is in the spirit of wanting to provide healthy and happy children that we gather here today."

The celebration of play and outdoor learning highlighted the school’s commitment to learning outdoors, including the award winning school garden that produces hundreds of lbs. of fresh produce every year; the outdoor easels that allow children to create works of art in the natural environment; the beautiful stone amphitheater and sandboxes that provide opportunities for creative play, and a life sized chess and a traditional swing set, as well as climbing equipment, Gamberg said.

Also on display were two benches, one dedicated to a teacher and the other, a Buddy Bench dedicated in memory of Kaitlyn Doorhy, to help offer a oasis of friendship for boys and girls who might be in need of a friend, the young student tour guides explained.

On Wednesday, Roger Tilles, a member of the New York Board of Regents, as well as Dr. Betty Rosa, Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, were onhand as Southold Elementary School officials unveiled the giant sculpture, designed to promote early literacy by having children read fairy tales, and explore creative writing in what is described as “an outdoor classroom” that stimulates creative spirits in children.

Rosa, too, spoke of the "magic" in the Southold School District.

“These outdoor learning stations at Southold Elementary School are exactly where resources should be driven in all school communities throughout the United States,” said Gamberg.

The Shoe Sculpture came about through a fundraising initiative by the Southold School Education Foundation.

The Foundation has been instrumental in providing resources for a wide range of projects and programs in Southold Schools over the past five years, including virtually all of the playground elements provided.

Of the new playscape project, Foundation President Bob Boergeson said, “We are delighted to help support creative and imaginative play and learning for the children of Southold.”

Students and staffers dressed in costumes from classic fairy tales including The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Old McDonald, Humpty Dumpty, and Little Bo-Peep.

The sculpture is the work of internationally renowned sculptor Giovanni Calabrese. Gamberg's son Jake, an architect, also helped to design the outdoor space.

For months, the community has fundraised to see a dream take flight, with every donation, as small as $5, signifying big strides. Gamberg turned to GoFundMe in September, 2016 to help raise funds for the new school project, "Restoring Play to Childhood."

Two local Southold families with hearts of gold also donated funds to help the Southold School district move forward in its mission to create a Mother Goose Shoe play structure. 'We may never have reached our goal if not for the incredible support" of the the Charles and Helen Reichert Family Foundation and the Miller family, Gamberg said.

"Unlike an overemphasis on standardized testing, this is a way to lay a strong foundation for the skills and dispositions that will serve our students and communities well, now and in the future," Gamberg said.

The GoFundMe, Gamberg said, was commenced not only to raise funds for the play structure, "but also to spread the message worldwide about the importance of play in the human development of all children. As you will see, our playground is a place to run, sing, dance, perform skits in an outdoor stone amphitheater, and dig in sandboxes."

He added that the playground also includes a 6,000 square foot garden, "nurtured by our students, that grows hundreds of pounds of fresh, healthy produce each and every year with an endless amount of learning opportunities. With the addition of the Mother Goose Shoe, students will have an inspirational place to read, create, imagine and dream alongside a magical fairy-tale structure."

Photo by Lisa Finn.