Magical Bridge Playground in Redwood City Honored as a Welcoming Star
Redwood City Together is thrilled to award the 24th Welcoming Star Award to Magical Bridge Playground in Redwood City. Jill Asher, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Magical Bridge Foundation, and Olenka Villarreal, CEO and Founder, received the award on behalf of Magical Bridge Playground in Redwood City at the October 25, 2021 virtual City Council meeting.
Magical Bridge Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advocates for, designs and builds playgrounds and parks for children and adults of all ages, abilities, and sizes. Redefining inclusive and recreational play opportunities through truly innovative design, Magical Bridge playgrounds and parks far exceed industry standards by removing physical and social barriers still present in most traditional designs. Through their advocacy and programs both on and off the playground, they promote kindness and ignite vital intergenerational connections that build more inclusive communities. Magical Bridge Foundation is currently working on playgrounds, parks, schools, and museum projects throughout the Bay Area and worldwide.
Magical Bridge Foundation was instrumental in bringing Magical Bridge Playground to the City of Redwood City at Red Morton Park. Since it opened to the public in December of 2020, Magical Bridge Playground in Redwood City has been a welcoming community space where children and adults of all ages, abilities, and sizes can play. It now welcomes 30K+ visitors per month - many who live with varying abilities and disabilities.
As Jill Asher, Co-Founder of Magical Bridge Foundation, expressed, "we hope that this playground sends a clear message that EVERYONE and every BODY matters in Redwood City." This sentiment truly encapsulates what it means to be a Welcoming Star.
To learn more about Magical Bridge Playground in Redwood City, visit magicalbridge.org/redwoodcity.
Community members can support Magical Bridge Playground by donating to Magical Bridge Foundation or applying to be a Kindness Ambassador to help safely open the playground and lead family-friendly events and activities at the playground in Redwood City.
Welcoming Redwood City is the welcoming initiative of Redwood City Together that builds empathy, understanding, and supportive action to bridge social divides such as race, class, and immigration status. To honor local pioneers and programs which build an inclusive community, Redwood City Together gives a quarterly Welcoming Stars award. Nominate a Welcoming Star here!