Morgan Hill Magical Bridge is a universally accessible playground located in the city of Morgan Hill, California. It is a unique and magical place that allows children of all abilities to play and explore together in a safe and inclusive environment. The playground was inspired by the original Magical Bridge playground in Palo Alto, which was designed to be a space where everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities, could fully participate in play. Morgan Hill Magical Bridge is one of only a few playgrounds in the country that has been specifically designed with universal accessibility in mind. The playground features a variety of play structures, swings, and sensory elements that have been carefully chosen and designed to be accessible to children of all abilities. The playground includes wheelchair-accessible ramps, swings with harnesses for children who require extra support, and sensory play elements such as musical instruments and tactile panels.

Holiday magic comes to Morgan Hill

Kids and families from Morgan Hill and beyond partook in an afternoon of playing, singing, dancing, learning and gifting at the Dec. 16 Magical Holiday festivities at the Magical Bridge Playground.

A central feature of the event, of course, was the presence of Santa and his Magic Ship, which drew a line of children who climbed aboard so they could personally tell St. Nick what they want for Christmas. Members of local scouting troops 799 and 2799—the creators of the Magic Ship—took photos of the special occasion for the kids’ parents, helping raise funds for the youth organizations.

The Magical Holiday event featured a wide variety of games, entertainment and activities throughout the Magical Bridge Playground, located at the city’s Community Park. Artists gave away balloon creations and offered face painting—all provided by the Morgan Hill Youth Action Council. Kids and their parents created holiday ornaments and decorations at crafting stations that provided free supplies.

The city’s sports and recreation department hosted a talent show, singalongs and other interactive performances outside the playground’s giant two-story playhouse. Local dance groups including Corazon Mexicano and Chiqlets Dance Team performed for the crowd at the sprawling playground.

During the event, swing sets, slides and merry-go-rounds were swarmed with children of all ages. The Magical Bridge Playground—which was designed for people of all abilities—also includes a variety of sensory features, as well as an outdoor classroom and picnic tables.

Information booths hosted by various city departments were set up during the Dec. 16 event, and a Cal Fire truck made a visit so firefighters could give away hats and invite kids to see the vehicle up close.

The Magical Holiday event was sponsored by the City of Morgan Hill. More than 200 people attended throughout the festivities, which lasted until the late afternoon.

Young Morgan Hill resident Leo Jaworski is dressed for the holiday as he enjoys balloon accessories he received from an artist at the Dec. 16 Magical Holiday event. Photo: Michael Moore Members of Chiqlets Dance Team pause for a photo just before their Dec. 16 performance at the Magical Holiday event at Magical Bridge Playground in Morgan Hill. Photo: Michael Moore Local youngsters Klara, Olivia and Natalie are pictured having a serious chat with Santa Claus aboard his Magic Ship (of Morgan Hill scouting troops 799 and 2799) at the Dec. 16 Magical Holiday event at Magical Bridge Playground. Photo: Michael Moore Children and their families made Christmas ornaments at a crafting station in a corner of the Magical Bridge Playground, during the Dec. 16 Magical Holiday event. Photo: Michael Moore Matthew Ginion helps his son, Matthew, Jr., gain some momentum on one of the swing sets at the Morgan Hill Magical Bridge Playground, during the Dec. 16 Magical Holiday festivities. Photo: Michael Moore

Nonprofit profile: Magical Bridge Foundation to help MH’s inclusive playground

Olenka Villarreal, left, with her daughter, Ava, who was the inspiration for the Palo Alto community to develop the Magical Bridge inclusive playground in Mitchell Park. Photo courtesy Magical Bridge Foundation

Three years ago, retired teachers Ron and Shirlee Locicero spent an evening at their Morgan Hill home watching a news report on television about the opening of the Tatum’s Garden “inclusive playground” in Salinas. The couple found themselves inspired to create a similar facility that would serve the needs of all families in the South Valley region.

The Locicero’s persistence pushed the Morgan Hill Inclusive Playground forward against many obstacles in the past three years. The ambitious project took what Ron called a “huge step” when in July the Morgan Hill City Council unanimously approved a partnership between the city and the nonprofit Magical Bridge Foundation, based in Palo Alto. The partnership means the city is committed to obtaining $2 million in funding to create a first-class playground on two-acres at Community Park that would enable all families — especially those with physically and mentally challenged children — to come together and enjoy some fun in the sun together.

With support from the city of Morgan Hill, local businesses and nonprofit organizations, and dedicated individuals who want to make the estimated $5.2 million dream a reality, the project is well underway. Earlier this year the organizers received word that the project was eligible for up to $2 million in matching funds from Santa Clara County. Ron said about $85,000 in donations have been gathered so far, and with the city’s agreement with the Magical Bridge Foundation, which was launched Aug. 1, he believes they have a Silicon Valley-based partner to raise funds for the endeavor.

The first Magical Bridge playground was opened in Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park in April 2015. The project started when Palo Alto resident Olenka Villarreal found it a challenge to find a playground suitable for her second daughter, Ava, a child born with disabilities, to play with her older sister. She approached the city of Palo Alto and asked which of the community parks had been designed to accommodate kids with different abilities.

Photo courtesy Magical Bridge Foundation The Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto has fast become a regional destination for families.

“They said to me, ‘Well, we don’t have parks like that. Why don’t you go and design the kind of park you think we should have,’” she said. “And that started a seven-year journey for me and a group of volunteers and people who believed in my vision. And we raised $4 million.”

The playground is completely inclusive with distinct play zones that can accommodate children of all needs. Kids in wheelchairs can get access to a two-story playhouse, a tree-house and the top of a slide mound. Play equipment includes bucket swings, spinning devices, slides, a sway boat, and a merry-go-round designed to be used for children with disabilities.
Magical Bridge’s mission is to provide outdoor play to children of all abilities to serve as the foundation for physical development, as well as social-emotional lessons such as cooperation, sharing, problem solving and kindness, Villarreal said. Without inclusive playgrounds, many Bay Area families lack a park facility to bring their children to play.

“When we were doing the Palo Alto park, no one was really sure what we wanted to do,” she said. “They weren’t sure if it was a wheelchair park or a special needs park.”

As the project progressed and the playground was built, organizers realized everyone in a community benefits from the inclusive facility through the elimination of social stigmas and prejudices as young people of all abilities play together, she said.

The playground’s “Kindness Ambassador” program grew as an outreach from teens doing their community services hours, enabling a spirit of tolerance to grow in the community, Villarreal said.

“They find they don’t have to be afraid of somebody if they have a disability or have cognitive differences,” she said. “When you see them in the community, you are much less likely to be mean or bully somebody because you are seeing someone is different. We’re really creating opportunities for people to discover how they are more similar than they are different.”

The Magical Bridge Playground model was so successful that Villarreal and others decided to create a nonprofit foundation dedicated to helping other cities create similar let’s-all-play-together playgrounds. The Magical Bridge Foundation was launched in January 2016 by Villarreal and two other women, Jill Asher and Kris Loew.

The first community to step up was Redwood City. The foundation signed a contract in September to work with the Redwood City Park and Recreation Department, the Redwood City Park and Arts Foundation and various community groups, family foundations and businesses. The city of Redwood City contributed $1.5 million of Capital Improvement Project funding that had already been allocated toward a planned renovation of an old existing playground project. The project will break ground in October and expects to open in fall 2018.

The success in Palo Alto and Redwood City in raising funds for their playgrounds inspires Ron Locicero that Morgan Hill’s endeavors will be equally as successful. When the Palo Alto playground opened, Ron and Shirlee visited it and were impressed by the high quality of the facility’s design and equipment. They asked the organizers to help them with the Morgan Hill Inclusive Playground project.

“I met with Magical Bridge over a year ago about the possibility of working together. But they weren’t in the business of helping to build parks,” Ron said. “Since then, they’ve formed the foundation and they are in the process of raising funds for people.”

Inclusive playgrounds provide an economic benefit to the communities that build them, Villarreal said. They draw thousands of families from around the region, some who drive two or three hours to spend an afternoon enjoying the playground with their challenged children.

“More than half of the people coming to Palo Alto’s Magical Bridge were in fact from outside Palo Alto, so it was very clear that the Palo Alto park was serving the entire county,” she said. “It’s absolutely a destination park. On any given day I am giving tours of Magical Bridge to people who come from other places in the world. They come to check out the park.”
Palo Alto’s Magical Bridge playground serves about 25,000 visitors a month, she said. A typical city park gets at most 200 visitors a month, she said. Many of the out-of-towners later eat in local restaurants and shop in local stores, bringing money into the city.

But the goal is people, not profit, Villarreal stressed.

“It’s really the beginning of something we call a community gathering place,” she said. “It’s not just a playground but a place where people in the community come together to meet other people in the community. It’s a place where everybody feels welcomed.”

Ron is optimistic that with Magical Bridge’s help, the Morgan Hill Inclusive Playground project will in two or three years become a real place for families from Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Martin, San Jose and elsewhere to visit.

“They’ve already done it twice and we’re going to be No. 3 and I feel we’re further along than the other groups that they’ve worked with,” he said. “It’s going to be a huge deal for them and for us.”

The Magical Bridge Playground In Northern California Is The Stuff Of Childhood Dreams

For over 25 years Lysa Allman-Baldwin has fed her wanderlust for “everything the world has to offer” by passionately writing travel and feature articles for numerous global print and online publications. A Digital Nomad, Lysa is also a professional speaker, workshop facilitator, and author.

No matter your age, it’s hard to resist a playground. There’s just something about the fresh air, fun climbing structures, and opportunities for play that take us back to our childhood. In Northern California, you’ll find a unique themed playground that redefines inclusivity and recreational play.

The Redwood City Magical Bridge Playground design was a collaboration between SSA Landscape Architects of Santa Cruz, the Redwood City Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department and The Magical Bridge Foundation. This unique themed playground encompasses innovative designs and play structures and areas that remove physical and social barriers.

Although we may not realize it, traditional playgrounds exclude many members of society. According to the Foundation, "Magical Bridge finally includes the 1-in-4 of us living with physical and cognitive disabilities, autism, visual and hearing impairments, the medically fragile, and our aging population."

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For example, to the right you can see part of one of the swings in the Swing and Sway Zone. This area is designed to use the magic of swinging to increase concentration, develop and restore balance, and soothe and relax the user.

The "Slide Mounds" at this unique themed playground are wider to accommodate family members sliding down together, and are wheelchair-accessible. Moreover, they promote growth and development, help improve balance and spatial orientation, and help users build strength and good coordination skills.

There is also a Playhouse and Stage, a whimsical area featuring a performance stage designed to promote imaginative play and encourage social collaboration between "performers." Much more than a play area, it is a reflection of how a segment of society works together to bring a project or mission to fruition

All over this area you’ll find kindness affirmations and messages that were chosen by children living in Redwood City. Hand-painted by a local mural artist they are inspiring, teaching and reminding us all how our actions—especially basic kindness—make a difference in our homes,

In addition to the whimsical play, this unique themed playground really does create a bridge across racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, physical, and emotional boundaries. Now that’s magical! In addition to Redwood City, you can find Magical Bridge Playgrounds in Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Morgan Hill, and Santa Clara.

Have you been to the Magical Bridge Playground? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experience there. You can also find out about the playgrounds on their Facebook page.

If you’re interested in enjoying some fun water play during the warm months, be sure to check out Velocity Island Park.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The playground includes wheelchair-accessible ramps, swings with harnesses for children who require extra support, and sensory play elements such as musical instruments and tactile panels. One of the highlights of Morgan Hill Magical Bridge is its attention to detail in creating a sensory-rich environment. The playground includes a sensory garden filled with plants and flowers that engage the senses of touch, smell, and sight.

There are also a number of interactive play elements, such as a sand play area, water play features, and a giant xylophone, that provide children with opportunities to explore different textures and sounds. In addition to providing a fun and accessible play experience for children, Morgan Hill Magical Bridge also aims to foster a sense of community and inclusivity. The playground features seating areas and gathering spaces where parents and caregivers can connect with each other, creating a support network for families. The playground also hosts events and activities throughout the year, such as sensory-friendly playdates and inclusive arts and crafts workshops, to further promote inclusivity and community engagement. Overall, Morgan Hill Magical Bridge is a truly magical place that celebrates the abilities and potential of all children. It is a shining example of how inclusive design can create spaces that allow everyone to play, learn, and grow together. This playground serves as an inspiration and model for other communities to follow, as it shows that with the right planning and resources, we can create inclusive spaces that allow every child to thrive..

Reviews for "Finding Serenity in the Magic of Morgan Hill's Magical Bridge"

- Jane Smith - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with my visit to the Morgan Hill Magical Bridge. The playground felt uninspired and lacked any truly imaginative features. There were a few basic swings and slides, but nothing unique or memorable. Additionally, the overall layout of the park was confusing and not easily navigable. I had high hopes for this place, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.

- John Doe - 1 star - I have to say, the Morgan Hill Magical Bridge was a huge letdown. The play equipment was old and worn out, with peeling paint and rusty parts. It was also incredibly crowded and noisy, which made it hard for my kids to enjoy themselves. We ended up leaving after only a short time because it just wasn't a pleasant experience. I would not recommend this park to anyone looking for a fun and enjoyable outing.

- Sarah Johnson - 2 stars - I was hoping for a magical experience at the Morgan Hill Magical Bridge, but unfortunately, I was left unimpressed. The play area was small and limited, with not much variety in terms of equipment. It seemed like they just slapped a fancy name on a basic playground and called it magical. The park was also lacking in shade, making it uncomfortable to spend a lot of time there on a sunny day. Overall, I found the experience to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.

Morgan Hill's Magical Bridge: Combining Fun and Inclusivity