Magical Harp – Jen Lewin Studio

Magical Harps

The Magical Harps are a series of accessible, permanent, outdoor interactive play sculptures. Played by moving, or dancing through the sculptures virtual “strings”, Lewin’s Harps create depth and tone that compliments accessible public activity and random or organized play.

Children and adults interact with the Magical Harp by light artist Jen Lewin

A child in a wheelchair smiles as she interacts with the Magical Harp by light artist Jen Lewin

The Magical Harp by female artist Jen Lewin in Palo Alto, California

Looking up at the interactive modules of the Magical Harp by light artist Jen Lewin

Magical Harp, Magical Bridge: 2015

Magical Bridge Playground is the nation’s most innovative-inclusive playground, designed and built for visitors of all abilities. Designed to be a socially inclusive playground for children of varying physical and cognitive abilities, the Magical Bridge addresses the unique play needs of the many kinds of children in the community, creating awareness that today’s park designs are overlooking so many: the growing autistic population, visually and hearing impaired, physically limited and even our aging community.
Project Location

Ashaun’s Harmonious Harp: 2019

This inclusive playground was created as part of a wish from Ashaun, a 7-year-old Aurora resident who lives near Red-tailed Hawk Park. The Make-a-Wish Foundation contacted city of Aurora staff in the fall of 2017 explaining that this young man and his family would love to see a fully-accessible playground at the park because his favorite thing to do is to be with other kids who are laughing and playing.
Red-tailed Park, in Aurora Colorado.

People gather beneath Ashaun's Harp by light artist Jen Lewin

People interact with Ashaun's Harp by light artist Jen Lewin

Magical Harp – Redwood City: 2020

The Magical Bridge Playground is a world-renowned concept developed first in Palo Alto and will soon debut in Redwood City. Designed to be socially inclusive for children and adults of varying physical and cognitive abilities, Magical Bridge Redwood City aims to go beyond typical playground designs, which often inadvertently overlook the growing autistic population, cognitively challenged, visually and hearing impaired, physically limited and the aging population. The Magical Bridge Foundation will collaborate with Redwood City on its second location due to its progressive parks and recreation program, financial generosity, and diverse community.

The City Council approved a partnership with the Magical Bridge Foundation to build an innovative and inclusive playground to open at Red Morton Park in late 2020.

Magical Harp – Morgan Hill: 2022

Magical Bridge Playground in Morgan Hill’s Community Park is free and open to the public from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. With thousands of guests visiting our all-inclusive playground. Located in the playgrounds Music Zone. The brain processes music in a different area than speech and language, therefore, for those who have difficulty communicating verbally, music provides a way to express themselves in a non-verbal manner. When one moves through the harp, musical notes play as the invisible laser beams are broken, allowing people of all abilities to play together.

Magical Harp – Central Park, Santa Clara. CA: 2024

The Magical Bridge Playground is a world-renowned concept developed first in Palo Alto. The City of Santa Clara and Magical Bridge Foundation welcome you to visit the 9th Magical Bridge Playground. Come slide, spin, swing, and play on this new public playground designed for all ages and abilities. Located at the parks Innovation Zone the Magical harps consists of a 24-string Laser Harp. The tones are tuned to a pentatonic scale which is soothing and creates a calm beautiful symphony of sounds no matter which notes are played.