“We dream that one day soon we will no longer need to specify ‘inclusive’ or ‘accessible’ when creating something as vital as a playground.”
Olenka Villarreal, Founder, Magical Bridge Foundation
2023: A Year of Magic In Review
Magical Bridge Foundation innovates multigenerational playgrounds, parks, and programs for more inclusive communities.
Magical Bridge Foundation, a non-profit organization headquartered in Palo Alto, California, creates multigenerational playgrounds, parks, and programs for more inclusive communities. Drawing from over a decade of research-driven innovation, Magical Bridge designs playgrounds for all ages and abilities by removing the physical and social barriers of today’s typical playgrounds to give everyone in the community a place to play, learn, and connect. With eight award-winning playgrounds currently open and many more in development around the world, Magical Bridge proudly collaborates with cities, developers, and landscape architects to bring inclusive play and companion programming to public parks, schools, zoos, and museums. In addition to a turnkey design-build model, licensing opportunities ensure the Magical Bridge brand, designs, and programs are catalysts for kinder and more inclusive societies everywhere. Magical Bridge invites you to join the movement toward a brighter future where inclusion means everyone.
Our story starts with a mom, two daughters, and a playground need.
It was only after the birth of her second daughter, Ava, that Olenka discovered how isolating a playground could be. A place that brought joy and community connections with her older daughter, Emma, had become a dreaded outing when she realized there were no parks designed for families like her own — a family with two children with very different needs.
Determined to create the kind of outdoor space that both her disabled and non-disabled daughters (and all their friends!) would love, she mobilized a team of volunteers to create such a place, where visitors of every age and ability could play together.
In 2015, after seven years of design research, advocacy effort, and fundraising, Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto California opened to the public. Once visitors discovered it, communities from around the world began reaching out for help in bringing this new kind of playground to their communities.
With generous support from the Enlight Foundation and Steckler Family Fund, Magical Bridge Foundation was launched as a non-profit organization in 2016. The mission was to build more playgrounds and advocate for parks and programs to include the whole family from the youngest to oldest, no matter what the ability or disability.
With 7 custom playgrounds now open to the public, and many more in development, Magical Bridge Foundation is passionate about bringing the joy of play, kindness, and community connections.
Magical Bridge Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. EIN: 81-2377796
