Tenderloin Recreation Center Children’s Playground Improvements

Scope of Work

241223_Tenderloin Rec_CONCEPT PLAN cropped_c

San Francisco Recreation & Park Department (RPD), in partnership with KABOOM!, Wu Yee Children’s Services, and Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), will be making improvements to the Tenderloin Rec Center Children’s Playground.

This Green Schoolyard Project at Tenderloin Rec Center will transform the existing playground into a nature-based, multi-functional space that balances active play, nature exploration, and quiet retreat. The project will prioritize accessibility, safety, and community-driven design elements while maintaining flexibility for programming needs.

Key Improvements:

Nature-Based Play Areas: A Children’s Play Area (CPA) and Nature Exploration Area (NEA) with climbing structures, a nest swing, slides, and carved logs for exploration.
Reorganized Layout for Safety & Supervision: The soccer court will move to the front as a buffer between the street and playground, while the children’s play area will shift to the rear for improved protection and sight-lines.
Enhanced Accessibility: Playground design will meet ADA and CPSI standards, with reconfigured entry ramp handrails and an added cane detector at the drinking fountain.
Increased Nature & Greenery: More tree plantings, expanded planting areas, and an improved irrigation system will bring elements of nature into the urban environment.
Seating & Gathering Spaces: A flexible seating area near the entrance for outdoor classrooms or quiet retreat, plus additional seating throughout with clear views of the playground.
Durable & Inclusive Play Materials: Play structures will use natural wood elements and be designed for all ages, eliminating the need for a separate toddler area.
Minimal Hardscape, Maximum Play Space: Reduced asphalt areas will create a more engaging, nature-integrated setting, while a portion of the hardscape will remain for flexible programming and events.

This thoughtful redesign will provide a safe, engaging, and nature-rich environment for the Tenderloin community, ensuring access to quality play spaces for local children and families.

Background

Located in the heart of the Tenderloin, the Tenderloin Rec Center Children’s Playground is a vital resource for the neighborhood’s large and diverse population of children. As a priority equity zone, the facility provides a safe and welcoming space for youth, offering outdoor classroom opportunities for preschools, after-school programs, and organized sports five days-a-week. The fenced outdoor area ensures a protected environment for children to learn, play, and socialize.

Regular users include Wu Yee Children’s Services and GLIDE for preschool outdoor activities, Up On Top for afterschool programs serving 80+ children, and various community organizations such as SF Street Soccer, Boys & Girls Club, SEADC, Tenderloin Achievement Group, and City Kids.

Despite its importance, the playground equipment, installed in 1993, is outdated and no longer meets safety standards. The playground surface is worn, and the space lacks nature engagement and shaded areas. To address these concerns, the Tenderloin Rec Center Playground Improvement Project is underway. Supported by KABOOM! and a $1M CAL FIRE Green School Yard grant, this initiative will deliver a nature-rich play area, enhance accessibility, introduce tree plantings, and reorganize the outdoor space to better serve the children and families of the Tenderloin.

This transformation will ensure protected, inclusive, and enriching play opportunities for the community’s youth for years to come.

Playground equipment at Tenderloin Rec Center

Funding

This project will cost $3.3 million. Funding for this project comes from the 2020 Health and Recovery Bond , a Cal Fire Green Schoolyard Grant and a Head Start Grant via Wu Yee Children’s Services, and Kaboom! via a 3rd party donor.

Estimated Project Schedule

Phase	Timeline
Planning	2022
Design	2024
Construction	Mid 2025
Open to the public	Mid 2026

Project Updates

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Project Updates

Capital Project Update Opens in new window

Tenderloin Recreation Center Playground | Design Update, April 2025

The reimagining of the Tenderloin Rec Center Play Area is well underway. After receiving unanimous approval from the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department Commission, the design team has been hard at work finalizing construction documents. As of Read on…

Tenderloin Recreation Center Playground | Design Update, February 2025

Tenderloin Rec Center Playground Project Moves Forward with Unanimous Approval! We’re thrilled to announce that the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department Commission has unanimously approved the concept plan for the Tenderloin Rec Center Playground Read on…

Tenderloin Recreation Center Playground | Design Update, January 2025

The finalized concept design will be presented to the SF Recreation and Park Commission for approval on Thursday, January 16. This project integrates extensive community input gathered through outreach events, stakeholder meetings, and interactive Read on…

Let’sPlaySF! Initiative | Take the Let’sPlaySF! Playground Survey open through January 31, 2025

Thanks to the successful Let’sPlaySF! Initiative funded by the 2012 Park Bond, SF Parks Alliance, and philanthropic partners we are renovating 13 dilapidated playgrounds across our city. With 11 playgrounds already beautifully renovated and two more Read on…

Tenderloin Recreation Center Playground | Second design survey now open! Community Feedback Needed!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our community meeting this week! If you haven’t taken the second survey, we would appreciate please take a few minutes and help us create a park for all to enjoy. The survey is open through Sunday, October 6, 2024 Read on…

Tenderloin Recreation Center Playground | REMINDER: Community Meeting: this Wed, Sept 25, 4:30-6:30p

Join us for a community meeting about the upcoming playground improvement project at Tenderloin Rec Center! San Francisco Recreation & Park Department (RPD), in partnership with Wu Yee Children’s Services, KABOOM!, and Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) Read on…

Tenderloin Recreation Center Children’s Playground Improvements | Project update, September 2024

San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is kicking off the design process for the new children’s playground at Tenderloin Rec Center. BASE Landscape Architecture has been selected and funded by our project partners, Low Income Investment Fund and Read on…

Tenderloin Recreation Center Playground | Design survey now open! Community Feedback Requested!

Community Feedback Requested! Survey open through Sunday, September 8, 2024. The San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department is seeking your feedback for improvements at the Tenderloin Recreation Center Children’s Playground. In partnership with Read on…

Tenderloin Recreation Center Playground | Community Meeting: Friday, August 23, 4:30-6:30pm

Documents and Materials

Commission Materials

Community Meetings - Notes and Presentations

Additional Project Documents

Contact Us

Keri Ayers

Project Manager- Capital and Planning Division keri.ayers@sfgov.org Phone: (628) 652-6642