Magical Bridge Playground

 PLAYGROUND IS OPEN DAILY at 8:00 a.m. until sunset unless otherwise noted. 

 Please see playground rules below. This is not your typical play space :-) 

Welcome to Redwood City's Magical Bridge Playground!

Our playground has some different rules than our others, so please prepare for your visit by reading them below as well as our FAQ section which is full of answers to many of your "Why" questions.  

We are excited to welcome your ENTIRE family to play together! 

Learn more about Magical Bridge Foundation here.

Learn more about the Redwood City Magical Bridge Project here.

Playground Rules & Guidance

Visit our FAQs in the next section for more explanation.

• All gates will open at 8:00 a.m. Please keep gates closed at all times.
  
  

• We recommend washing your hands before entering.

• Please, no food or drink (other than water) to help keep your playground clean and safe for all abilities. Our play surfaces are one of the main staples of our accessibility. Not only are messes extremely difficult to clean, but they are sometimes impossible to remove, and the only remedy is expensive turf replacement and park closures. This is the same reason we do not allow wheels.
  
  
• We allow cardboard to slide on, but please take it home with you when you leave and please throw away smaller pieces that are not useable. We are finding pieces all over the playground and in the landscape.
  
  
• Please wear shoes for your safety.
  
  
• Please do not use sidewalk chalk anywhere in the playground.
  
  
• NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED except for service dogs. A service dog is a dog that is trained in a specific task to assist a person with a disability. Service dogs are highly trained and socialized to be safe and behave appropriately with the public. More info at canine.org
  
  
• Please use restroom facilities just outside the playground area for diaper changing and potty-training.
  
  
• NO WHEELS are allowed in any of the play zones, except for wheelchairs. Please park your strollers or ride-on toys in the designated area. Bikes can be locked to the bike racks outside the gate. 
  
  
• DAY CARE OR CAMP FIELD TRIPS MUST CONTACT OUR DEPARTMENT FOR APPROVAL PRIOR TO VISITING to ensure an enjoyable experience for all. We have many of our own camp programs using the playground as well and we'd like to make sure we have a safe crowd balance for the general public recreation@redwoodcity.org
  
  
• You may notice our Kindness Ambassador volunteers in the playground from time to time. They help ensure that Magical Bridge Playground is as fun, welcoming, and inclusive as it can be. Want to join the team? Information below! Click here!

General Playground Rules 

Visit our FAQs in the next section for more explanation.

• Please enjoy food and drinks outside of the Playground. We have picnic areas surrounding the playground and nibble nooks!
• Please keep gates closed at all times.
• No gum allowed.
• Play Zones are for all ages.
• Children must be supervised at all times.
• Caution, slides, and play equipment may be hot! Check temperature before use.
• Wear appropriate footwear at all times. Bare feet, flip-flops, high heels, and cleats are not permitted. 
• Bikes, skateboards, and roller skates are not permitted inside the playground. Wheel chairs are okay.
• NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED except for service dogs. A service dog is a dog that is trained in a specific task to assist a person with a disability. Service dogs are highly trained and socialized to be safe and behave appropriately with the public.
• Please use restroom facilities just outside the playground area for diaper changing and potty-training. 
• Please do not use sidewalk chalk anywhere in the playground.
• Please do not drag our Adirondack chairs into the playhouse. Please leave in areas where they are found. Dragging them into the playhouse damages the paint on the floor.
• Alcohol and smoking are prohibited.
• Cursing, yelling, hitting, or other aggressive behaviors are not allowed.
• No Trespassing after hours. 
• Large organized groups of 15 or more must contact Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services to schedule a visit. No field trips without approval. 650.780.7250 recreation@redwoodcity.org
• Above all, please be kind.

FAQs

Play Zones

	PLAYHOUSE AND STAGE The Magic of a Playhouse • Encourages imaginative play • Motivates social collaboration • Features a stage for performances Since 1987, Barbara Butler Artist-Builder, Inc. has created custom play structures using all natural redwood and non-toxic tung oil wood stains, including our wheelchair-accessible playhouse.
	SLIDE MOUND  The Magic of Sliding • Improves balance and spatial orientation • Builds coordination and strength • Promotes growth and development Wheelchair-accessible slides feature patented Dignity Landings™ to provide a safe resting place for those needing assistance at the bottom. Wider slides mean the whole family can slide together. Our slides were carefully chosen based on a number of factors as well as some observations and learnings from the Palo Alto Magical Bridge site. For more detail about our slides, visit our FAQ section.
	INNOVATION ZONE The Magic of Music • Stimulates brain activity • Encourages social interaction • Facilities non-verbal communication The 24-string Laser Harp, created by artist Jen Lewin, encourages visitors to create a symphony of sounds. When you move through the harp, musical notes will play as you break the invisible laser beams. Tones are on a pentatonic scale which is proven to be more soothing than a western scale, especially to those who have autism. You can also keep the beat with your feet on the several drum pads below!
	SWING AND SWAY ZONE The Magic of Swinging • Develops and restores balance • Increases concentration • Soothes and relaxes for all ages Disc swings invite group play in a variety of positions, and large bucket seat swings offer support for various sizes and abilities.
	KINDNESS CORNER The Magic of Kindness. The Kindness Corner, hand-painted by local mural artist Marlon Yanes, features kindness messages chosen by the children of Redwood City. The area inspires kindness and inclusion while providing a gathering place for conversations about acceptance, friendship, and the importance of diversity.
	SPIN ZONE  The Magic of Spinning • Helps develop both sides of the brain • Improves attention spans for learning • 15 minutes of spinning may impact the brain for up to 8 hours so please spin with caution. The carousel fits two wheelchairs and spaced spinners and allows spinning in various positions. Spinning should be controlled for the best benefit. Encourage children to spin 10 times in one direction. Then stop and spin in the other direction.
	TOT ZONE The Magic of Early Play • Develops fine and gross motor skills • Offers challenges for risk-taking  • Encourages imagination and socialization The playground is often a child’s first classroom. When children begin their play lives with kindness, inclusion becomes the norm for the rest of their lives. These formative experiences help build more open and accepting communities.  This area also houses an exciting water play aqueduct feature where kids can explore sensory play and engineering.
	WATER SENSORY & SEATING AREA Kindly take a seat and use this feature to rest, get a great view of the playground, or enjoy a playhouse performance!  Enjoy the cool water! Activate the waterfall. See, feel and hear the water. Water from this feature drains directly into a multi filtration system and is used to water our trees plants.

Take a Tour!*

*Video was created prior to our shade structure installation.

Kindness Ambassadors

There is no better volunteer job to put on your resume than this! Thanks to our partnership with the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, we will have a group of volunteers to help us open Magical Bridge, also known as Kindness Ambassadors, who will help keep the playground safe and magical for all who visit. As a Kindness Ambassador, your goal is to create a fun and inclusive space where visitors of all ages and abilities feel welcome. At this time, we are only accepting applications for Kindness Ambassadors ages 18 and up. You must be able to dedicate a minimum of 4 hours a month for at least 6 months (shifts are 2 hours long). Kindness Ambassadors will help safely open the playground and help lead family-friendly events and activities, once we are safely able to do so. Kindly click here to apply!