LONG ISLAND, N.Y. - When Tommy Young, owner of Sav A Roof Inc. in Long Island, N.Y., received a call from Owens Corning Roofing about reroofing a giant “shoe”, he knew his team would be tackling an extraordinary roofing project.

Southold Elementary School in Long Island is home to an intriguing playground integrating a classic children’s rhyme into the playscape. The 12’ tall and 20’ long Mother Goose play structure has a proud foothold on a schoolyard that includes sandboxes, painting easels, school garden, life-size chess set and outdoor amphitheater. Sculpted by world renowned artist Giovanni Calabrese, the shoe’s design reflects the eclectic, whimsical design of classic storybook illustrations.

The same elements that contribute charm to nursery rhyme illustrations, presented practical and aesthetic challenges for the roofing company. The irregular, angled design of the rooftop posed special concerns that demanded the know-how of experienced roof installers.

Owens Corning Roofing donated the materials for the Mother Goose structure and Sav A Roof stepped in to donate the manpower and installation expertise for the shoe’s rooftop. Resilience was a key concern as the roof had to be able to withstand the Long Island area’s wind driven rain, sleet and snow year after year.

“The wind resistance of SureNail technology is a key reason why we choose to work with Owens Corning,” said Young.

Sav A Roof installed the Duration shingles in Chateau Green atop the Mother Goose structure at Southold Elementary.

The collaborative, community project also appealed to Sav A Roof’s community mindset and philosophy of giving back. The Mother Goose play structure was a project imagined by Southold Superintendent David Gamberg nearly 20 years ago, initiated in 2016 and completed in 2018. Gamberg’s son Jake, an architect, designed the school sculpted by Calabrese.

More than 200 students created a video to show how the shoe would enhance the school’s outdoor area. The video served as a key component of a fundraising initiative. During an unveiling ceremony, the school’s teachers and staff dressed up as storybook characters such as Mother Hubbard, Little Red Riding Hood and Little Bo Peep. An antique tractor and sheep from a nearby farm helped round out the picturesque drop off as students performed and provided guided tours.

While the project was wrapped up during the busy spring roofing season, Young said it was well worth finding the time to schedule this pro bono project.

“It’s always better to give,” he said.

Owens Corning featured a video of the Mother Goose Roof during the International Roofing Expo in Nashville, February 11-13.

“Whether it’s donating a new roof for a deserving veteran or giving back to local youth as Sav A Roof did, members of the Owens Corning Contractor Roofing Network give of their time and talent throughout the year,” said Jason Lewinski, contractor marketing leader, Owens Corning Roofing.

“The play structure at Southold Elementary school may be our most unique roof installation to date and we are honored that Sav A Roof stepped in to top off this work of art with Duration shingles.”