Challenges including COVID-19, weather, materials and even a trucker protest slowed construction at times

Shirlee and Ron Locicero in front of the playhouse at the Magical Bridge Inclusive Playground. Photo by Kaylee Arca

By Kaylee Arca

The start of summer brings magical fun to the South Valley with the grand opening of the  Magical Bridge Inclusive Playground.

Located in the heart of Morgan Hill’s Community Park, the new playground officially opens 10 a.m. Saturday, June 4, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

After more than seven years of planning and construction on the project, South Valley families are encouraged to celebrate as dignitaries open the gates to the $6.3 million specialized playground.

Magical Bridge was expressly designed for people of all physical and mental abilities as well as age groups from toddlers to senior citizens.

The playground is divided into different areas that provide special play equipment for all abilities. The sections include a musical area with an over-head laser harp, a sandbox for children to have tactile experiences, a water fun area, spinning zone, toddler area, special slides and swings that can be used by all children and more. The city is also transplanting trees along the playground’s perimeter to provide natural shade.

Ron Locicero under the musical harp. Photo by Kaylee Arca

Children and teenagers playing at Community Park have been admiring the nearly completed playground from outside the construction fence, excited for the grand opening.

“One of my favorite things I’ve seen is the harp where you move around under it to make music notes,” Nolan Joiner, 13, said. “I’ve always liked parks (like this one) because there’s so much different stuff. It’s more than slides and swings. It’s perfect for everybody.”

Among the playground’s zones, a colorful two-story playhouse sits as the focal point of the playground. It was designed and built by San Francisco artist and architect Barbara Butler.

“I’m definitely going to be here for the grand opening,” James Tipton, 12, said. “I can’t wait to explore the playhouse, it looks so cool.”

The idea and design of the park was spearheaded by Ron and Shirlee Locicero. The Morgan Hill couple were inspired to create the inclusive play area in 2015 after watching a TV news story about the grand opening of Tatum’s Garden, an inclusive playground in Salinas. As retired educators, they felt inspired to build a similar playground where South Valley children of all physical and mental abilities find outdoor fun together.

Photo by Marty Cheek Workers plant shrubs at the Magical Bridge Inclusive Playground in preparation of the June 4 grand opening.

With the help of the city of Morgan Hill’s Park and Recreation Department and generous donors, the Lociceros created ideas for inclusive structures and included the community for more design ideas.

The couple visited local schools across Santa Clara County and held community meetings for anyone to contribute ideas. The Magical Ladies, a group of local moms who have children with disabilities, formed to provide invaluable ideas and insight into the playground’s design.

“This is a lot of work for a great reward,” City Councilmember John McKay said. “This (playground) never would have happened if it wasn’t for Ron and Shirlee’s persistence, realistic vision and big dreams. There were times and setbacks when we thought this project wasn’t possible.”

The Lociceros plan to enjoy the playground with child-like joy and wonder alongside their grandkids Paisley, 6, and Evan, 4. QUOTES Paisley is in kindergarten and she’s so excited, she talks about how she wants to bring her classmates here to play, Shirlee said.

The Lociceros had originally hoped the inclusive playground would be open in spring 2020, but they faced challenges along the way with finances, COVID-19, weather, and materials. These challenges slowed and stalled construction at times. The playground’s fencing was delayed at the Canadian border for months due to Canada’s trucker protest, said Chris Ghione, the city of Morgan Hill’s public services director.

The virtual groundbreaking event happened in June 2020 and construction took two years.

“I’m going to be super happy to see the young kids playing,” Ghione said. “It’s going to be amazing for our community to come together and have this park they can call their own.”

This project would not have succeeded without the dedication and commitment of Ron and Shirlee Locicero along with Santa Clara County, city of Morgan Hill, and the community. What started as a proposal to the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission in 2014, has come to fruition.

The inclusive playground received a $2.15 million grant from Santa Clara County. The city of Morgan Hill contributed a $3.5 million grant and donated the land. About $400,000 in donations came from families and local businesses, with $60,000 and future maintenance fees donated by the nonprofit Edward Boss Prado Foundation. The Lociceros also worked with the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s current board president Claudia Rossi and others to find $200,000 to build an outdoor classroom. The original price tag of the project was estimated at $5 million. Added components made the final cost $6.3 million.

After years of persistence, the Magical Bridge Inclusive Playground is finally ready for the community to enjoy, Ron said with pride at the vision coming into reality.

“I’ve been told that all of the frustrations will go away once the park is open,” he said. “We had frustrations, we had setbacks, we had COVID, we had strikes, but none of that matters now that the park is finally going to open.”

Kaylee Arca is a 2017 graduate of Sobrato High School. She graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and media studies and now works as an accounts associate for public relations firm Sterling Communications.