California authorities are ready to invest millions: how the Ukrainian created a unique playground in the United States. PHOTO, VIDEO - ForumDaily
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California authorities are ready to invest millions: how the Ukrainian created a unique playground in the United States. PHOTO, VIDEO

A place where children and adults can play, physically healthy and people with disabilities: blind, deaf, children with autism. The first such site appeared in California 4 years ago. 25 thousand people visit it monthly. Local authorities have already allocated tens of millions of dollars for the construction of such sites. And the idea was invented and implemented by a Ukrainian, Elena Villarial.

Photo: video frame VOA

He initiated the creation of this playground, carried out organizational work, assembled a team of like-minded people and millions of dollars in donations from an American of Ukrainian descent Elena Villarial. What inspired her and what is special in the magical site she created, tells Voice of America.

Photo: video frame VOA

Under US law, every playground must be suitable for children with special needs. However, builders often fulfill only the minimum standards: for example, wheelchairs get stuck in sawdust, and on the hill in children with physical disabilities instead of positive emotions arise opposite.

“They either sit and watch everyone walk and play around them,” says Elena, showing an ordinary children’s playground, “or they try to drag themselves up - but this is almost impossible.”

Photo: video frame VOA

Therefore, the woman, not finding a site where her two children could play, went to the city council of Palo Alto. Officials admitted: there is no such construction in the city. They agreed to allocate a land plot for free, provided that Elena finds a way to build such a site.

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Elena gathered a team of like-minded people and after 7 years of project development, negotiations and fundraising, the Magic Bridge platform appeared - Magical Bridge Playground. This is how the site was opened:

7 years ago, Ukrainian resident of Palo Alto Elena Villarial took her two daughters to the playground. The youngest, Eva, was born special, so the girl needs special conditions. According to Elena, the girl was born with problems, and still no one can say what’s wrong with her. Eva needed to move, and ordinary playgrounds were not suitable for this - and were often dangerous.

The magic bridge, through which visitors get to the site of the 21 century, is made of wood. This tree is specially processed and equipped for children who do not see, or they have autism: everything is done so that there are as many opportunities for touch, because for them it is very important.

Photo: video frame VOA

There is a house on the hill. Such houses, as a rule, are made for children. Elena wanted to make sure that mom, dad, and grandma could all get together in it.

Photo: video frame VOA

Elena shows a place for the blind. When you go to him, you hear water. Every 30 minutes the sounds change: as if you are walking on water, snow, fallen leaves or on ice.

Photo: video frame VOA

The site is also equipped for people with behavioral and cognitive impairment. After all, only 10% of people with disabilities have obvious physical limitations. For children with autism, a soothing harp sounds here. Music stimulates the brain, improves social skills.

Photo: video frame VOA

And this slide is Lena’s invention, inspired by her daughter Eva: the surface of the slide is made of rollers, and there is a bench at the bottom. This is done for those who need more time to get off the slide. A child who uses a stroller can not only climb to the top herself, but also calmly, after resting at the bottom, move into the stroller.

Photo: video frame VOA

Photo: video frame VOA

The design of the site itself took 5 years to develop, consulting with the children’s parents, psychologists, landscape designers and architects. After opening in 2015, the place quickly became popular: 25 people come to the Magic Bridge every month.

Photo: video frame VOA

The tourist Nidmala Gevati specially came here from Nepal, she wants to do something similar in her country.

“There are so many things to touch, feel and learn,” says Niedmala. “Such sites are very important. This is an opportunity to get out of the house, be in a different environment, and make new friends.”

Photo: video frame VOA

"Magic Bridge" is created for anyone, regardless of age and physical abilities. Parents believe that such a playground contributes to the development and creative thinking of their children.

Elena says: the first “Magic Bridge” was built entirely with charitable donations, 4 million dollars. After its opening, the project attracted interest in California and beyond. In 2016, Elena and her team created a foundation that raises funds and provides advice on how to bring such a project to life.

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This year the platform was presented at the International Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland as a project that meets the needs of people with physical and cognitive impairments and opens up new opportunities for them.

There are currently 5 more such sites under construction in California. Funds for their creation - and this is 30 million dollars - were allocated by local governments.

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