REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Introductory Community Outreach Meeting for the Magical Bridge All-Inclusive Playground Project in Central Park
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara (City) invited the community to a special event to bring a Magical Bridge all-inclusive playground to Central Park. The all-inclusive, all-access playground will provide a creative play space where people of all ages and abilities can explore at their own pace.
The Magical Bridge Foundation has a unique combination of expertise in the field of inclusive playgrounds, commitment to raise funds towards design and construction, and the ability to facilitate comprehensive outreach campaigns to raise funds and awareness for all-inclusive projects. Magical Bridge Foundation's first inclusive playground was constructed at Mitchell Park in Palo Alto in 2015. The playgrounds are designed to meet all accessibility requirements and include unique play elements that address the needs of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory challenges, visual and auditory impairments, cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities, including the medically frail.
The City has an agreement with the Magical Bridge Foundation to: assist in community engagement, assist in and review project design, license the City to use the Magical Bridge Brand, and commitment to raise one million dollars towards the project. In addition, the City has an agreement with Groundswell Landscape Architects (Groundswell) to: conduct community outreach, complete the schematic design, complete the construction drawings and specifications (PS &E), provide bid support, and provide construction support. The Design Team will include the City Parks & Recreation and Public Works Departments and incorporate input from the various City commissions and community through the outreach and approval processes.
The City currently has $3.7 million budgeted in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget proje...
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