Bonds and Initiatives
The Department’s Capital Plan relies on a series of General Obligation Bonds to modernize the City’s parks and recreation facilities. The Department has received funding from multiple bonds over the past two decades. The 2020 Health & Recovery Bond included $239M for park improvements, including named parks, recovery parks, and five programs. The Department is wrapping up the final project for the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, which provided $195 million in Bonds to improve 15 more neighborhood parks, including three pools, remediate failing playgrounds, bring long-awaited investment to our citywide parks, and continue the vital renewal projects in our urban forest, trails, and water conservation needs. In addition to these large bond investments, the Department has also received $70M from the 2020 Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond for Kezar Pavillion and $15M from the 2024 Healthy, Vibrant San Francisco Bond for Embarcadero Plaza and Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park.
The Department has closed out the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond for $185 million provided funding to renew and renovate 12 neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities and begin addressing the infrastructure needs in our urban forest, trail network, playfields, and restrooms. Even with the significant infusion of funds received by the Bonds, more than $1 billion in deferred maintenance and modernization needs remain.
Horizontal line
Check out our StoryMap for more information about the 2020 Health & Recovery Bond
Active Initiatives
Completed Initiatives
Capital and Planning Reports The Capital and Planning Division submits monthly financial reports on the status of our projects and initiatives to the Recreation and Park Commission . These available on the Commission’s webpage. Click the green box for 2023 materials from Full Commission meetings:
For archive of Full Commission Documents from previous years, Click here .
The Division also produces reports on projects with bond funding for the Citizens’ General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee (GOBOC). These are available on the GOBOC webpage under Recreation and culture bond programs .
Project Updates
If you would like to receive updates about all our active projects, please visit the News Flash section of our webpage and subscribe to “Rec Park Improvements | All Project Updates,” or pick-and-choose your subscriptions by project name.
Community Opportunity Fund (COF) | First important deadline is next Tuesday, February 3
Nominations are open for Rec and Park’s Community Opportunity Fund, a program that supports community-driven park improvement projects across the city. The first deadline is approaching, and attendance at one of two February workshops is a required Read on…
With Contractor Lined Up, Portsmouth Square Renovation Moves Toward Summer 2026 Groundbreaking
After years of planning and community engagement, the long-anticipated renovation of Portsmouth Square is moving closer to construction. Read on…
Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, January 2026
We’re happy to report that the project is two-thirds complete! This includes significant portions of the structure and utilities systems. Please be advised that we expect limited Saturday construction work in February. For the Plaza and Pagoda, the Read on…
McLaren Park Trails | Construction update, January 2026
We’re getting very close to completing the McLaren Park - Trails Improvement Project! Our contractor has completed planting and a small bridge in the restored drainage area north of the Upper Reservoir and will be working on the planting area near Read on…
Louis Sutter Upper Playground Renewal | REMINDER: Two Community Information Sessions in January
We have two community information sessions scheduled: Saturday, January 24, 11am and Monday, January 26, 2:30pm. Join the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to learn more about the upcoming renovation of the playground equipment and Read on…
India Basin Waterfront Park | Construction update, January 2026
Construction at India Basin Shoreline Park continues, with earthwork and grading underway, along with soil import and installation of drainage infrastructure. Please note there was a minor delay related to clearing the PG & E pit, with Read on…
Kezar Pavilion Renovation Project | Project update, January 2026
We are excited to share that we will be releasing a Release for Qualifications/Proposals (RFQP) for a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) for the Kezar Pavilion Renovation Project in early 2026! This will allow us to integrate the Read on…
Community Opportunity Fund (COF) | Nominations for projects are now open!
Nominations for Community Opportunity Fund (COF) projects are now open! To get started today: Visit the program page, review the sample application, application instructions, scoresheet, FAQs, and the Implementation Plan! Sign up for a Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Construction update, January 2026
Please be advised: PG & E will be working on McAllister Street on January 12-16. The work requires a lane closure on McAllister during working hours. Expect work vehicles in the roadway, as well as impacts to parking and traffic. Please follow all Read on…
Tenderloin Rec Center Play Area | Construction update, January 2025
Exciting progress is underway at the Tenderloin Recreation Center as the new play area continues to take shape, bringing a warm, natural, and adventurous space to the neighborhood. Playground equipment crafted from natural wood has been Read on…
Twin Peaks Trail Improvement Project and Promenade Project | Project Update, January 2026
With the Twin Peaks Trail Improvement Project now complete, focus has shifted to the delivery of the Twin Peaks Promenade Project, an important next phase in reimagining this iconic San Francisco destination. Over the past several months, the project Read on…
State-of-the-art Herz Rec Center Opens with Community Celebration
San Francisco’s first new recreation center in more than two decades brings modern amenities and new opportunities to Herz Playground. Read on…
India Basin Waterfront Park | Community Notification and Public Meeting Notice, January 23, 1 PM
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will hold a public meeting to discuss the draft EPA grant proposal and to solicit public comments on the proposal. The meeting will be held Friday, January 23, 2026, 1-2 p.m., at the community gathering room at Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Weekend Work Advisory for Saturday, January 10
Please be advised that our contractor will have a crew working this Saturday, January 10. This will be our electrical subcontractor crew, who will be working on the main electrical conduits and installing rebar for the secondary conduits. This work will Read on…
Precita Park Improvements | Construction update, January 2026
The new prefabricated restroom has arrived! Big thanks to everyone who came out to watch this morning. It was a fun atmosphere. Our staff saw neighbors standing on the play structure to get a peek and heard a Read on…
Esprit Park | Tree Replacement now complete
Work this week to replace 15 young trees at Esprit Park is now complete. These trees were currently under warranty after the recent park renovation. Our crew planted 12 London Plane trees along the Minnesota Street frontage and 3 multi-stemmed Read on…
India Basin Waterfront Park | Community Notification and Public Meeting Notice | January 23, 1 PM
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD) is applying for a United States Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Cleanup Grant to cover the cost of remediating legacy contaminated subsurface soil at India Basin Shoreline Park Read on…
Golden Gate Park - JFK Promenade | Construction update, January 2026
Construction to upgrade the crosswalks and curb ramps on JFK Promenade near the Conservatory of Flowers resumes this week. Our contractor will begin at Conservatory Drive East before turning attention to the intersection at Pompeii Circle. All crosswalk Read on…
Louis Sutter Upper Playground Renewal | REMINDER: Two Community Information Sessions in January
We have two community information sessions scheduled for January. Join the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to learn more about the upcoming renovation of the playground equipment and surfacing at the Louis Sutter Upper Playground. These Read on…
Precita Park Improvements | Construction Advisory, January 2026
Please be advised that we expect that the park’s new, prefabricated restroom facility will be delivered this Thursday, January 8 in the morning. This delivery was originally scheduled for the week of December 22 but was postponed due to rain. This work Read on…
Herz Recreation Center | Grand Opening Celebration, this Friday, January 9, 3:30-5 PM
We’re excited to invite the community to celebrate the grand opening of the new Herz Recreation Center at 160 Mrs. Jackson Way in McLaren Park on Friday, January 9, from 3:30–5:00 p.m. The new recreation center includes an indoor basketball court with Read on…
Randolph Bright Mini Park Improvements | Project update, December 2025
Thank you to the community members who joined our design discussions and shared thoughtful feedback to help shape the final design for Randolph & Bright Mini Park. Your ideas and insights have been essential in guiding this project. Over the past few Read on…
Esprit Park | Notice of Tree Replacement
The week of January 5, Rec and Park will be working with our contractor team to replace 15 trees that were installed during the recent park renovation project and are currently under warranty. We expect to complete this work over a Read on…
Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, December 2025
Earlier this fall, steel tendons to support the Pagoda were woven through each level. These are now being properly tensioned, and this work is nearly complete. Waterproofing and drainage work continues in the second half of the plaza. We expect some Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Construction update, December 2025
The new building is now fully waterproofed, and drywall installation has begun on the interior walls. On the exterior of the building, we have begun installing the plaster and storefront windows. The new playground equipment has been Read on…
Precita Park Improvements | Construction Advisory, December 22, 2025
Please be advised that the delivery and installation of the park’s new, prefabricated restroom facility, which was originally scheduled for this week, has been postponed due to rain. We will post an update with the new delivery date once it is Read on…
Golden Gate Park-Senior Center Outdoor Recreation Area | Project update, December 2025
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our third and final community meeting about the planned improvements to create a new Outdoor Recreation Area behind the Golden Gate Park Senior Center. Our plan is to present this concept design to the Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Weekend Work Advisory for Saturday, December 20
Please be advised that our contractor will have a crew working this Saturday, December 20. This will be our electrical subcontractor crew, and they will be working along 6th Street. We anticipate minimal noise or other disruption to neighbors. This work Read on…
McLaren Park - Louis Sutter Upper Playground Renewal | Two Community Information Sessions in January
Two community information sessions now scheduled for January. Please join the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to learn more about the upcoming renovation of the playground equipment and surfacing at the Louis Sutter Upper Playground. These Read on…
Golden Gate Park-Senior Center Outdoor Recreation Area | REMINDER: Community meeting #3, Dec 17, 11a
Join Rec and Park for the third and final community meeting about the planned improvements to create a new Outdoor Recreation Area behind the Golden Gate Park Senior Center. At this meeting, we will share the final design for the new Outdoor Recreation Read on…