Located in Morgan Hill, California, the Magical Bridge Playground is a unique and inclusive play space designed to accommodate everyone, regardless of age or ability. This innovative park features a wide range of imaginative play structures and sensory experiences, making it a favorite destination for families and children of all backgrounds. One of the most notable features of the Magical Bridge Playground is its emphasis on accessibility. The park is designed to be fully inclusive, with wheelchair-accessible ramps, sensory-rich pathways, and numerous features that cater to individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that children of all abilities can play and interact together, fostering a sense of belonging and community. The play structures at the Magical Bridge Playground are carefully crafted to inspire creativity and imaginative play.
Old Coaly: The Mule Who Built Penn State
Sure, we’re all about the Nittany Lion here at Penn State. But before the stately Lion, we had Old Coaly, Penn State’s favorite mule, original mascot, and superstar construction worker.
The Lion Ambassador Source Book tells the story of Old Coaly’s journey to Penn State. Way back in 1857, Coaly made the trip from Kentucky to State College with his owner, Piersol Lytle. Lytle’s son, Andy, was a laborer working on Old Main and recruited the mule for help. Coaly spent long days at a stone quarry where Allen Street now is, carrying stones up to the construction site.
When construction ended after six years, the University decided to buy the mule they’d grown to love, paying $198 for its furry friend (the jury’s still out on whether or not that was the common price of mules in the 1800s). From there, Old Coaly became a symbol of Penn State pride. You could catch him around campus, snacking on grass or mowing the lawn. Back then, students were required to do manual labor as part of their tuition. Quickly, they became fast friends with the mule.
To the student body’s dismay, Coaly passed away of natural causes in 1893. His bones were immediately preserved and later put on display. When Penn State celebrated its 150th anniversary, Coaly’s bones were moved to the HUB, where they’re on display now. Let’s be honest, some of us (okay, I) thought they were dinosaur bones. But seriously, Old Coaly’s skeleton is there to remind students of his characteristics, ones that all Penn Staters should possess — strength, surefootedness, endurance, long service, and loyalty.
That’s not the only tribute to Coaly on campus — you can also spot a tribute to Coaly at Medlar Field, where a concession stand is called Coaly’s Corner. The College of Agriculture’s honorary society also bears the name of the legendary mule.
Yes, Coaly is in our memory, but some would say he’s even more present than that. A blog called Seeks Ghosts claims that Coaly’s ghost still roams campus. After Coaly’s bones were moved for the first time, students reported seeing a mule wandering around Watts Hall.
So, there you have it. The Nittany Lion is still No. 1 in our hearts, but Old Coaly is by far Penn State’s favorite mule. If Penn State were Pawnee, Old Coaly would be Lil Sebastian.
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Why your mascot sucks: Penn State University
The Mule arrived at State College in 1857 and assisted in construction, by hauling limestone blocks. Old Coaly was purchased for $190 once construction was completed.
He spent 30 years helping with landscaping and farming on campus from 1863-1893 and served as the school’s unofficial mascot of the school.
He was so loved by students, that Old Coaly’s skeleton is preserved and is still on display at the HUB-Robeson Center.
Eleven years later, the Nittany Lion began its tenure, serving as the official mascot at Penn State.
While most schools flip flop around and change their official mascot, PSU has stayed the course with its mascot of choice. The mascot originated in 1904, when Harrison D. “Joe” Mason, a baseball player for Penn State came up with the mascot on the spot, against Princeton.
Princeton showed Penn State a statue of Princeton’s Bengal Tiger, to show the merciless treatment they were about to encounter on the field.
Which is such a 1904 thing to do… look at this statue of our mascot, you’re in trouble.
Since Penn State was mascot-less, Mason was quick on his feet and shot back at the nerds from Princeton saying that their school’s mascot was the Nittany Lion, “the fiercest beast of them all,” who could overcome even the tiger.
I get it, my high school’s mascot was a Purgolder… made up big cats are the best, and obviously quite ferocious.
Coincidentally, the fake cat rebuttal worked and Penn State won the game.
As time went on, the Nittany Lion gained widespread support among students, alumni and fans and was adopted as the school’s mascot without an official vote.
Last I checked this was a democracy and not a mascotracy.
While the Nittany Lion is basically your run of the mill cougar, mountain lion, puma, panther, catamount or mountain screamer the ‘Nittany’ of its name comes from the Nittany Mountain, which is part of the Appalachian Mountain range, which is located partially in Pennsylvania.
The Mountain’s peak sits 2,077 feet above sea level and is 800 feet or more over the Nittany Valley.
Penn State University’s Park campus is located at the midway point of the Nittany Valley, which spans about 60 miles, four counties and is more than five miles wide.
The terrain is mostly farms and small towns, with the mountains on either side, which are densely forested.
The forested area is where mountain lions once roamed central Pennsylvania until the 1880s. However, there had been some unconfirmed sightings, long after that.
While there was no lion mascot public appearance until the 1920s, the school erected a pair of lion statues named ‘ma’ and ‘pa,’ that were placed on top of the columns at the university’s main entrance.
The school also had two stuffed lions that were placed in Rec Hall.
As you can see, it was. well. constructed.
The first public appearance for the lion mascot was in 1922, when Richard Hoffman, a student at the school, was chosen to wear an African lion suit to athletic events.
And obviously, it has to be an African lion costume. that is totally inter-changeable with a mountain lion. (that was sarcasm).
Hoffman was the perfect choice to wear the costume, as he played a lion in a production of “Androcles and the Lion.”
The lion’s name was Nittany Leo I, and the wearer was required to walk/crawl on all fours.
Just think of the grass stains. and all before Tide was introduced in 1946.
After a short break in the 1930s, the lion came back in 1940 and more closely resembled a mountain lion, however this was short-lived, as the African lion costume was back in 1960.
Once the school got over it’s indecisiveness, the lion returned to its mountain lion design in the 1980s and it has remained since then.
The play structures at the Magical Bridge Playground are carefully crafted to inspire creativity and imaginative play. From a magical castle and pirate ship to a giant musical xylophone and storytelling stations, the park is filled with opportunities for children to explore and engage in pretend play. These structures are not only visually appealing but also designed to stimulate the senses, providing a multisensory experience for all who visit.
Appearance
Ugh… where to start… I mean… it’s a dumpster fire.
I mean look at it.
While most mascots are human-like versions of the animal it represents, whether it be bull, a badger, a wildcat, or even a nut, the Nittany Lion isn’t a human-like Nittany Lion, by design, it’s a person, wearing a lion costume.
The suit is loose fit and far too baggy. What is this amateur hour?
The sleeves and gloves do not connect and it looks like it would be far too easy for the sleeve to roll up.
The head is decent, but the extra baggy flap of neck skin that hangs down, is just too much and looks awful.
Apart from looking rough, it also looks super creepy.
LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE!
And the scarf? My guess is the conversation went something along these lines:
“Well, the mascot needs to wear something that signifies PSU.”
“What about a shirt?”
“No, that would cover up too much of the burlap sack, we’re calling a costume.”
“Okay, how about a basketball jersey?”
“No, because then he can’t pull a “Winnie the Pooh,” and he would have to wear the shorts.”
“And that would be bad. ”
“Well, you clearly hate all of my ideas, what do you propose?”
Adjusts scarf, throwing it over his shoulder “A scarf!”
“Yes. It’s settled.”
As you can see, they didn’t have the best decision makers.
Whether it wears just a scarf, or any other article of clothing, it’s is guaranteed to haunt my dreams.
And to think, it’s in the Mascot Hall of Fame.
*Me sharing all of my evidence, showing that the Nittany Lion, shouldn’t be in the Mascot Hall of Fame*
Additionally, the Magical Bridge Playground offers a variety of unique sensory experiences. These include features such as the "Whisper Wishes" interactive sound system, the "Doodle Wall" for creative expression, and a quiet zone for relaxation. These sensory-rich elements are intended to engage and stimulate individuals with sensory sensitivities, providing a safe and inclusive environment for all visitors. The park is also equipped with ample seating areas, shaded picnic spots, and accessible restrooms, ensuring that families can enjoy a comfortable and enjoyable visit. The Magical Bridge Playground truly caters to the needs of its visitors, making it a popular destination for families, school groups, and community organizations. Overall, the Magical Bridge Playground in Morgan Hill is a testament to the importance of inclusive play spaces. It provides a welcoming and engaging environment for children of all abilities, promoting inclusivity, diversity, and the power of play. It serves as a model for other communities seeking to create accessible and inclusive parks for their residents, and is sure to inspire and delight visitors of all ages for years to come..
Reviews for "Captivating Play: Unveiling the Charms of the Magical Bridge Playground in Morgan Hill"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - I was really excited to take my kids to the Magical Bridge Playground in Morgan Hill, but I was quite disappointed with the experience. The playground was overcrowded and there was a lack of supervision, which led to some unruly children running around and causing chaos. The equipment was also worn out and not properly maintained, with broken swings and rusty slides. Overall, I expected better from a supposedly magical and inclusive playground.
2. Jane Smith - 1 star - I had heard great things about the Magical Bridge Playground in Morgan Hill, so I was really looking forward to visiting with my children. However, upon arrival, I was appalled by the state of the playground. It was filthy, with litter scattered everywhere, and I even spotted a used syringe in one of the play areas. The lack of cleanliness and hygiene was a major letdown, and I couldn't bring myself to let my kids play there. I was highly disappointed and will not be returning.
3. David Johnson - 2 stars - I visited the Magical Bridge Playground in Morgan Hill on a sunny weekend, hoping for a fun day out with my family. However, I was quite underwhelmed by the limited options for activities. The playground seemed small and there were not many unique or exciting features to keep my kids entertained. Additionally, the layout was confusing and it was difficult to navigate between the different play areas. I appreciate the concept of inclusivity, but the overall experience left much to be desired.