Mayor London Breed Announces Opening Of Six Newly Renovated Playgrounds

Press release from the Office of the San Francisco Mayor:

October 14, 2020

Playgrounds throughout the City were renovated as part Let’sPlaySF!, a partnership between the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and the San Francisco Parks Alliance

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed and San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg today announced the opening of six newly renovated playgrounds. These renovations come as San Francisco moves forward with reopening playgrounds citywide.

“The Recreation and Park Department has been hard at work making sure our playgrounds continue to get the attention they need and deserve,” said Mayor Breed. “These renovations could not have come at a better time for families across San Francisco. Every child deserves to play in a safe, clean, and fun environment, and these updated playgrounds will serve our young people for years to come.”

“We are incredibly pleased to reopen our playgrounds as dynamic hubs for creativity and family life,” said Phil Ginsburg, General Manager, Recreation and Park Department. “From imaginative new play structures that spark imagination to improved access for everyone, our new play areas were designed with growing bodies and brains in mind.”

Six neighborhood playgrounds completed their extensive makeovers over the last seven months. Five of the play area renovations are part of Let’sPlaySF!, a public-private partnership between the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and the San Francisco Parks Alliance that is transforming 13 time-worn playgrounds across San Francisco.

The sites were prioritized by a community task force, based on presence of unhealthy chemicals in playground wood, and with priority given to playgrounds in low-income neighborhoods dense with children. The program has its roots in the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Park Bond. When bond funds were not sufficient to renovate all of the sites recommended by the task force, the Parks Alliance stepped in to help secure private funding so that sites could be transformed.

“These playgrounds are the result of years of strong will, hard work, and community organizing. The families and community members who all stepped in to support these efforts—despite setbacks—truly demonstrate our collective commitment to our children and youth,” said Supervisor Norman Yee, President of the Board of Supervisors. “These playground renovations are a central part to advancing San Francisco’s vision to become a truly Child-Friendly City where children shape spaces where they can be free, adventurous explorers and feel a deep sense of belonging. We cannot wait for families to make new memories in these upgraded public spaces.”

“For far too long our playgrounds have not received the level of investment they deserve,” said Supervisor Ahsha Safaí. “I am glad that through the investment of Let’sPlaySF our children and families can have top tier playgrounds in their own neighborhoods. We’re going from having some of the worst playgrounds in the City, to some of the best!”

“As mom of a young daughter, I can’t think of a more hopeful sign for our city right now than the reopening of playgrounds,” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “The beautiful new Redwood Grove picnic and play area is going to put smiles on little faces from the Portola and nearby neighborhoods. We need to keep investing in ways to make San Francisco a great place for families.”

“The renovation of Sgt. John Macaulay Park has been a labor of love for the Tenderloin community,” said Supervisor Matt Haney. “We’re thrilled to open the park in its new form with new community stewards that will keep our kids healthy and safe.”

Merced Heights Playground

At the newly renovated Merced Heights Playground in the Oceanview-Merced Heights-Ingleside (OMI) neighborhood, families will find entirely new equipment, including a massive timber play structure, climbers, a spinner, and a bowl swing. Upgrades to lighting, fencing, sport courts, the clubhouse and ADA improvements were also included in this $2.9 million renovation. The reimagined playground, improvements to sport courts and a planned revamp of the park’s lower level are all part of a $5.3 million total overhaul.

Alice Chalmers Playground

The $3.7 million renovation of Alice Chalmers playground in the Crocker Amazon neighborhood includes a reimagined play area with new equipment for tot and school age children along with new safety surfacing, landscaping, trees, picnic tables and other seating, and improvements to the field. The restrooms and pathways have been upgraded and made more accessible.

Sergeant John Macaulay Playground

Sergeant John Macaulay playground in the Tenderloin has undergone a $2.9 million transformation to a safe, multi-generational park with a nature-inspired theme. Improvements, made in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, include custom-built children’s play structures, upgraded landscaping, seating, and accessibility.

West Portal Playground

West Portal playground’s $3.4 million makeover includes new, vibrant and inclusive play equipment, including a dragon-themed slide, in addition to a nature nook for children, new plantings, seating, and paving.

Redwood Grove Playground

The redesigned Redwood Grove playground in McLaren Park incorporates natural elements such as boulders, timbers, and native plantings. A slide reaches from the top of the playground to the grassy lawn and a large net structure will allow children to climb to sweeping views of the City. The $2.8 million playground renovation is part of a larger $5.4 million overhaul that includes new restrooms and upgrades to the picnic areas, pathways, and lawn.

“We’re ecstatic for families to experience the next five playgrounds of our Let’sPlaySF! campaign especially at a time when they’re needed most. This campaign, will benefit more than 20,000 children throughout the City,” said Drew Becher, CEO, San Francisco Parks Alliance.

Sunset Reservoir Playground

A sixth site, the Sunset Reservoir Playground, has also undergone a major facelift thanks to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which owns the Sunset Reservoir where the playground is located. The $200,000 project includes a new tot swing and slide, and new rubberized matting in a fun two-toned graphic pattern.

This press release was produced by the Office of the San Francisco Mayor. The views expressed here are the author’s own.