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Weather is not an issue at indoor playground
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
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Giuliana Ricchiuti, 4, gets an eyeful at Skedaddles Indoor Playground on Market Street. Giuliana inspired her mom, Dini Ricchiuti, to open Skedaddles.
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
Photo
Charlie Sneek, 4, of Boardman, crawls into a bubble and hangs out at Skedaddles Indoor Playground, which opened on Market Street Monday.
BOARDMAN
Two years ago, Dini Ricchiuti and her 2-year-old daughter Giuliana were stuck inside on a cold winter day.
“We were going stir-crazy,” Ricchiuti said.
That prompted her to research indoor playgrounds. When she realized there weren’t any in Boardman, she began plans for her own. On Monday, Skedaddles Indoor Playground, 8061 Market St., opened.
The playground features slides for children and wireless Internet for their caregivers. Skedaddles is not a day care and requires adult supervision at all times, Ricchiuti said.
“People can bring lunch and play just as you would on an outdoor playground,” she said.
Ricchiuti’s children, Giuliana and Antonio, 2, were at the opening.
“I love the big slide. I like to go down the little slide on my belly,” said Giuliana, who is now 4.
Township Zoning Inspector Anna Mamone said Skedaddles had the first conditional-use permit for an indoor playground. The area is zoned commercial. The only thing similar to it, she said, was an indoor skate-park that is closed.
The Jackson family of Poland came to Monday’s opening and was impressed.
“I think it’s nice and a very good idea. I like having the little one indoors where it’s warm,” said Linda Jackson, who was there with her two grandchildren, David and Leeona Jackson.
David and Leeona’s mom, Falyn Jackson, said they would be back to Skedaddles.
“It’s really cool. I’ve never seen anything like it before,” she said.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This week for the grand opening, admission cost is $6 for children 2 and older, $5 for additional siblings and $3 for children under 2. Regular prices beginning next week will be an additional dollar.
Skedaddles is closed Saturday and Sunday for private parties. Ricchiuti said she already has reservations for 16 parties, which are booked in two-hour increments.
More information is available at Skedaddlesplayground.com.