Is it a Roller Rink? Is it a Beach? It’s Both!
By Michelle McAllister
As Bedrock, a real estate company in downtown Detroit, continues to buy strategic properties, they must find interesting ways to fill them as Detroit redevelops. One such location is 1001 Woodward.
In December 2018, the Rainbow City Roller Rink, created by Friends with You, was installed prominently within Campus Martius. Brought to Detroit by the Library Street Collective, this interactive experience was free, but reservations were a must!
We headed downtown on a cold wintery night in early January and had a great burger at Brome Modern Eatery before queueing up for our 45-minute skating session, which looked like it had been plucked out of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Large colorful balloons loomed over the small skating rink.
It had been years since I had been roller skating, and let me tell you, it is not like riding a bike! I was awkward, slow and we had one serious fall that required an ice pack, but we had a fun family night out!
Starting on March 1, 2019, Library Street Collective and Cranbrook Art Museum brought us ‘The Beach’ by Snarkitecture. This sea of all white plastic balls transported you out of the winter doldrums instantly. Equipped with life guard chairs, fun floats, deck chairs and umbrellas, it was an Instagram and selfie paradise.
Again reservations were necessary, but we were able to get into the 45 – minute session on an early Saturday afternoon, as I had forgotten to make reservations. We had a great time frolicking in the “water” and forgetting the negative wind chills outside!
While the next exhibit has not yet been announced, I’m ready to explore! Free, family fun is definitely a hit!
