Skillern Elementary announces the opening of its new, all-inclusive playground, "Ridgeview Rocks – Where Everybody Plays!"

"Designed with universal accessibility and joyful engagement in mind, the new play space ensures that students of all physical abilities, sensory needs and learning styles can learn, imagine and play together side by side," officials said. "The playground is dedicated to all current Skillern Elementary scholars and to the generations of children who will play here for years to come.

Every feature within Ridgeview Rocks was intentionally selected to promote accessibility and encourage active, inclusive play."

The new facility packed with unique play and learning features includes dedicated Gaga ball pits for grades K–second and third–fifth, a Tonka Truck construction play area and a ball toss & tally game. Children can race cars down the inclined Pinewood racetrack, glide down the Metamorphosis slide or explore the observation deck equipped with giant Little Tikes waffle blocks. The playground also boasts a multi-activity playscape with wheelchair dismount, slides and a climbing funnel, alongside the signature Ridgeview crawl tunnel and a solar-powered picnic pavilion. All areas across the entire facility are fully wheelchair accessible thanks to custom sidewalks provided by Cox Concrete and The Rogers Group.

"The completion of 'Ridgeview Rocks' marks a major milestone in Skillern Elementary's commitment to whole child development, outdoor learning and inclusion," officials said. "The project was made possible through the dedicated support and generosity of local community members, families and school partners."

The playground will be dedicated this Saturday at The Galleria in the Gorge event from 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. at The Skillern Campus, 8459 Springfield Road in Soddy-Daisy.

Presented by Skillern Elementary and the Soddy-Daisy Cruisers Car Club, this community-wide fundraiser event offers a full day of autumn fun for the entire family, including a car show, silent auction, local artisans, kids zone, petting zoo, playground dedication, hayrides and more.