Kids Together Playground reveals public art this week, opens misting garden June 3

Kids Together Playground in Cary has some big reveals coming up.

At 3:30 p.m., Friday, the town and playground supporters will unveil four bronze chimeras that are featured in the new Enchanted Misting Garden. The bronze and stone artwork, entitled “Chimerical,” is the work of Asheville sculptor Todd Frahm. It consists of four bronze chimeras – that’s animal mashups – engraved stone boulders and a bronze emblem that carries a special message.

Frahm’s inspiration came from a visit he made to the playground earlier this year, when children were invited to share their ideas in drawings, according to a press release.

He observed one little girl who drew a cat that ended up having an unexpected outcome: "She said that she had trouble with the legs and made the only logical decision: She turned the bottom half of the cat into an octopus," he said in the release. "She reminded me that her inability to render perfect cat legs was not a mistake; it was an opportunity for something new, different and unexpected. This girl needs nothing except to be reminded to hold tightly to her fearlessness and adaptability."

Marla Dorrel, president of Kids Together Inc., said she's thrilled with the work, which right now is covered up before Friday's event.

"When the artist delivered the artwork," she said, "I began to see it, and I absolutely burst into tears. And he was like, 'Nobody has ever cried about my work.'"

But, Dorrel said, they were happy tears.

"I've watched it develop over time," she said. "And then it became more than I ever hoped it would be. I think people are absolutely going to love it. And I think kids are going to flip out over these animal mashups."

Frahm's work also includes a special emblem that's emblazoned with the words, "Different is normal, love is universal."

For a playground that was designed for children of all abilities, including those with special needs, it's perfect, Dorrel said.

"It really fits Kids Together and our inclusive design," she said.

The emblem also includes a little secret for kids to uncover. Dorrel will bring crayons and paper to do rubbings.

"So we'll see who can reveal the secrets the emblem holds," she said.

Friday’s reveal will allow playground visitors to examine the artwork before the misting arches are activated, which will take place at a second celebration from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., June 3. The park celebrates Kids Together's birthday on the first Saturday in June every year.

Events on May 25 and June 3 are free and open to the public. Kids Together Playground is located at Marla Dorrel Park, 111 Thurston Drive, Cary.

Dorrel and other park supporters have worked for six years to get the misting garden built. The four arches each include four jets that gently mist water when a button is pushed.

"I couldn't be more thrilled," she said.

Take a look at Frahm creating the owl cat sculpture for the piece.