North Fair Oaks secures $1.1M for new Magical Bridge park
The new 5,500-square-foot park will transform a vacant Buckingham Avenue lot into a sensory-friendly space for all abilities.
A $1.1 million Magical Bridge Pocket Park is set to break ground later this year in North Fair Oaks, funded by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and several major donors.
The funding will transform a vacant lot near 180 Buckingham Ave. into a 5,500-square-foot park designed for people with physical, cognitive, sensory and socioemotional differences,” a county press release stated. The park will include sensory-friendly quiet areas, as well as a net spinner, a swirl saucer, chimes, a bead spinner, a hideaway hut and a bench swing.
“We are proud to support a project that will benefit so many families,” said Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, who led the county’s $400,000 investment, in a statement. “When public leadership and private philanthropy come together, we can create spaces that reflect our shared commitment to equity, accessibility, and opportunity for all.”
North Fair Oaks, an unincorporated area part of San Mateo County, has few designated green spaces and public parks. The closest park to the future Magical Bridge Pocket Park is about a 15-minute walk away.
Elisa Espinoza, the senior program officer for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, said, “We believe thriving communities are built through investments in vibrant, community-driven spaces where everyone belongs.”
The project is a partnership between the Magical Bridge Foundation, which builds inclusive playgrounds and programs, and St. Francis Center, a nonprofit serving local residents.
The Pocket Park was funded by donations from local families and neighbors, along with a $250,000 donation from Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, $100,000 from The Schmidt Family Foundation, and $100,000 from the Sequoia Healthcare District and Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital.
A section of the park will also honor the memory of Tess Rowell Weber, a St. Francis Center staff member, who embodied the inclusive spirit of the project, according to a press release from the county.
About St. Francis Center of Redwood City: Celebrating 40 years strong and guided by the community, St. Francis Center of Redwood City is a multifaceted social service center providing food, clothing, education, and other essential services to underserved families. The Center’s mission has expanded over the years to include affordable housing and comprehensive support services that build community connections so that all can thrive. For more information about the St. Francis Center, visit: https://stfrancisrwc.org/
About Magical Bridge Foundation: Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, the Magical Bridge Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Palo Alto, California, creates accessible, multigenerational playgrounds, parks, and programs that foster more inclusive communities. Drawing from decades of research and universal design expertise, Magical Bridge removes the physical and social barriers of typical playgrounds so that all ages and abilities can experience the many benefits of play and community connections. With 12 award-winning playgrounds open, and more projects underway worldwide, Magical Bridge proudly champions the vision that when it comes to vital community spaces, “inclusive” means everyone. Learn more at magicalbridge.org.