Magical Bridge Foundation and PlayPower Announce Strategic Partnership

Introducing New Inclusive Playground Solutions for Children and Adults of All Abilities

Mar. 1, 2018 — Silicon Valley’s Magical Bridge Foundation, renowned for developing the nation’s most innovative, inclusive playgrounds, and PlayPower, Inc., a global leader in the recreation industry, today announced their strategic partnership on a new international line of playgrounds and play solutions for all ages and abilities. The new line of products developed by this partnership will offer groundbreaking solutions to expand the successful work of Magical Bridge Playgrounds and provide truly inclusive play for kids and adults of all abilities on a global level.

A Magical Partnership: Magical Bridge Playgrounds are mindfully designed to be socially inclusive for children and adults of varying abilities, including those with physical and cognitive disabilities, autism, hearing and visual impairments, and even the aging population. The first Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto opened in April 2015 and attracts more than 20,000 local, regional and international visitors monthly. Due to the success of this first Magical Bridge Playground and the abundant requests to build new Magical Bridge Playgrounds, Magical Bridge Foundation was formed in January 2016. Planning is already underway for the next several Magical Bridge Playgrounds in California, including Redwood City, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Morgan Hill communities.

Playworld, a leading commercial playground equipment manufacturer committed to uniting communities through outdoor unstructured play, will manage the partnership for PlayPower. Playworld has led the recreation profession with inclusive research, numerous publications and hands-on workshops demonstrating inclusive design principles.

“For nearly 50 years, Playworld has created innovative, inclusive and meaningful outdoor play experiences for all ages and abilities,” said Todd Brinker, Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing at PlayPower.

“The Magical Bridge Playgrounds and this partnership demonstrate how people and organizations come together to positively impact the lives of everyone in a community,” said founder Olenka Villarreal. “While we are building new and innovative playgrounds, what we are really doing is helping to build more inclusive and magical communities.”

The Magical Bridge Playgrounds, and the play line that comes from the partnership, will exceed basic ADA requirements to create inclusive spaces for all, including the 1 in 5 individuals who are living with a visible or invisible disability. The ultimate goal is to ensure that park and recreation departments, school districts and outdoor community spaces will have an affordable solution to meet the needs of everyone.

Access to play is a critical component of the partnership: Both Playworld and Magical Bridge Foundation will share their expertise in inclusive design to benefit the users of all play areas. The partnership with PlayPower streamlines access to all of Playworld’s design and research departments as well as to the product innovations of PlayPower’s nine global brands, including HAGS, USA Shade and Wabash Valley.

“This partnership will provide more play spaces that invite children to be physically active, encourage imagination, and accommodate children and adults of all abilities,” said Missy Benson, Play and Design Specialist for Playworld. “We are thrilled to be sharing the expertise we’ve gathered over our 47 years of designing, manufacturing and installing play equipment. We are excited to partner with the Magical Bridge Foundation to celebrate the joy and importance of inclusive play.”

Let’s Connect! The need to bring new and innovative solutions to play communities everywhere is urgent! Magical Bridge Foundation and PlayPower will launch our new line of playground equipment in Summer 2018. Click here to be the first to receive information about our truly innovative and inclusive playgrounds that are revolutionizing the playground industry. We are making the world more kind, compassionate and welcoming for everybody, one playground at a time. We look forward to having you join us on this magical journey.

About Magical Bridge Foundation

Magical Bridge Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in the heart of Silicon Valley advocating for and bringing to life innovative and truly inclusive community and school playgrounds. Magical Bridge Playgrounds delight and welcome everyone, regardless of ability, disability, size or age. Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto opened to the public in April 2015, and is heralded as the nation’s most innovative and inclusive playground. Playground projects are currently underway in northern California communities of Redwood City, Mountain View, Morgan Hill, Sunnyvale, and the Palo Alto Unified School District. Locations outside the Bay Area for parks and school playgrounds will be announced later in the year. To learn more about the Foundation and ways to support the project, go to magicalbridge.org or look us up on Facebook and Twitter. If your company, foundation or community group would like to partner with Magical Bridge Foundation, contact Jill Asher at [email protected].

About Playworld

Playworld is a division of PlayPower®, Inc. Playworld believes The World Needs Play®. Play is vital to everyone’s health and well-being. It’s something you are never too young or too old to enjoy. We develop playground environments where creativity is king, belly laughs are welcome and children make the rules. Playworld’s equipment is designed to unleash the transformational power of play so bodies grow stronger, children play safely and imagination can take flight. For nearly 50 years, Playworld has created innovative, inclusive and meaningful outdoor play experiences for all ages and abilities. For more information about our inclusive play equipment or Inclusive Design Guide, visit Playworld.com.vn.

About PlayPower

PlayPower, Inc. is the world’s largest, fully integrated manufacturer of commercial playground equipment, floating dock systems and lifts for boats and personal watercraft, shade solutions and site furnishings. The company is headquartered in Huntersville, NC, with marketing, sales and manufacturing facilities in Monett, MO; Lewisburg, PA; Selby, England; Sosnowiec, Poland; and Aneby, Sweden. PlayPower, Inc’s. goal is to lead the market in all areas in which it competes and to continue to bring innovation and fun to the marketplace.

Media Contact:

Jill Asher, Magical Bridge Foundation

Phone: (650) 520-8512

[email protected]

Todd Brinker, PlayPower, Inc.

Phone: (417) 354-2594

[email protected]