CuriOdyssey is First Museum to Build Magical Bridge Playground

Project Led by Two Mothers Dedicated to Inclusivity for their Children

San Mateo, CA (October 13, 2021)—CuriOdyssey is excited to announce the completion of the first phase of its campus project with the opening of Whooosh!, an inclusive, physics-in-action playground made possible thanks to the efforts of Laurel Miranda and Olenka Villarreal, two mothers of children with significant disabilities. The playground was made possible by a gift from our lead sponsor and Campaign Co-Chairwoman Kat Taylor and the Taylor & Steyer Family. Designed by Magical Bridge Foundation, the inclusive playground is the first of its kind to be built in a zoo and museum. The November 13th grand opening is the first step in our exciting campus plan for expanding CuriOdyssey’s state-of-the-art science museum and zoo. Our new campus plan includes eight additional structures, each addressing specific needs, including exhibit gallery space and classrooms for workshops, with new wildlife facilities planned in phase two. CuriOdyssey champions early science learning in San Mateo County and beyond.

Miranda and Villarreal met 14 years ago at a developmental class when their children were three years old. The building of this playground showcases the dedication of these two mothers who recognized the need for a more inclusive community for everyone. The project is a partnership between Sares Regis Group of Northern California, Whiting-Turner, the Magical Bridge Foundation, San Mateo County Parks, and CuriOdyssey. The five organizations are dedicated to building a playground that is intentionally and mindfully designed to meet the needs of everyone, including the 1-in-4 of us living with visible or invisible disabilities. The 4,000-square-foot playground was constructed near CuriOdyssey’s zoo and includes a tot lot and spin, swing, and slide areas set in a grove of trees.

Each partner on the project offers its own unique expertise to ensure a safe, healthy playground for all abilities:

Magical Bridge Foundation’s design expertise helped create a playground that thoughtfully considers the needs of those of all ages who are living with disabilities.

CuriOdyssey’s scientific expertise infused the playground with design elements to provide an understanding of the physical forces such as angular momentum to gravity that make play possible.

Sares Regis Group of Northern California, a privately held, Bay Area commercial real estate development, project management, investment, and property management firm, is providing pro-bono project management services to lead the playground project from concept to completion.

Whiting-Turner provides construction management, general contracting, design-build and integrated project delivery services on projects large and small for a diverse group of customers. Its Pleasanton office’s employees and trade partners are volunteering their time and donating materials for the creation of the Whooosh! playground, ensuring key project milestones were met.

San Mateo County Parks’ leadership has enthusiastically supported the playground since its inception.

CuriOdyssey chose Magical Bridge Foundation’s playground design because it far exceeds industry standards, removing the physical and social barriers in today’s traditional playgrounds to create welcoming spaces for all ages, abilities, and sizes.

“It’s difficult to bring someone with a disability to most playgrounds because of physical barriers, and it is just as challenging if the parent is disabled,” says Olenka Villarreal, Co-Founder of Magical Bridge. “Often, persons with a disability are blocked from participating at a local playground by something as commonly used as a shredded-bark ground cover—a surface that prevents many people from accessing a swing or slide simply because they can’t navigate over the surface. This carefully-designed playground removes those barriers as well as many others.”

“My family is constantly looking for places we can all enjoy together,” says Laurel Miranda, Board Chair for CuriOdyssey. “CuriOdyssey has long been a favorite destination because its size, structure, and content create an inclusive experience that engages our entire family. However, CuriOdyssey did not currently have an outdoor playground. When we discussed the capital campaign, inclusivity was an important criterion for the new design. I can’t wait until the Whooosh! Physics-in-Action Playground is open to welcome visitors of all abilities to swing, spin, and slide together.” The opening of Whooosh! exemplifies CuriOdyssey’s commitment to removing physical and social barriers to science learning for all abilities and ages within the museum, zoo and in our programs.

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