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Let’sPlaySF! Initiative (2012 Bond)
Background
Let’sPlaySF! has its origins in the $195 million San Francisco Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks General Obligation Bond approved by 71.6% of voters in November 2012. The Bond allocated $15.5 million to renovate dilapidated playgrounds through the City.
In 2014, the Recreation and Park Commission appointed a Citizen Task Force to determine which playgrounds were most in need of renovation. The Task Force prioritized six Tier 1 and seven Tier 2 playgrounds for renovation based on four criteria: (1) the presence of Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) Pressure Treated Wood, (2) low Household Median Income, (3) high Youth Density and (4) low Parks Alliance Playground Report Card Grades.
In December 2014, the Recreation and Park Commission unanimously adopted the list recommended by the Task Force, of which the Department committed to renovate all six Tier 1 playgrounds and to renovate some or all Tier 2 playgrounds provided if additional funding were procured. In the wake of that determination, the Department and the Parks Alliance decided to partner on Let’sPlaySF!, a capital campaign dedicated to raising sufficient funds to ensure that all 13 playgrounds can be reimagined for San Francisco’s children. The Parks Alliance Board voted in December 2015 to undertake the campaign and in December of 2016, the Commission approved a MOU between the Parks Alliance and the Department to partner on the project and recommended that the Board of Supervisors accept up to $15 million from the Parks Alliance for the project.
Program Status
The initiative has fully completed 11 of the 13 playgrounds and are open to the public. Of the two remaining playgrounds, Stern Grove is slated to begin construction in late 2024, while Buchanan Mall Playground has been incorporated into a larger renovation of the park and is currently in design phase. For status updates on the individual sites, click on a project.
Status of Tier 1 Sites - All Tier 1 sites are completed and open to the public.
- Washington Square Playground
- Panhandle Playground
- Sgt . John Macaulay Park
- McLaren Park - Redwood Grove Playground
- Merced Heights Playground
- Alice Chalmers Playground
Status of Tier 2 Sites:
- West Portal Playground
- Juri Commons
- Golden Gate Heights Park
- Herz Playground
- Richmond Playground
- Buchanan Street Mall
- Stern Grove Playground
For more background and to donate through our partner, visit San Francisco Parks Alliance .
Project Updates
If you would like to sign up for updates click here and scroll down to the NewsFlash and select the alerts you would like to receive.
Project Update Blog
Buchanan Street Mall | Construction update, June 2025
Construction at Buchanan Street Mall is making great progress! Major work has been focused on carefully mapping and assessing existing utilities, and refining our plans for health and safety, site logistics, and traffic control. There has also been some Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, May 2025
The playground continues to take shape with the installation of the playground towers and other climbing elements. We are looking forward to wrapping up construction this summer Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Construction update, May 2025
Our contractor has mobilized, and tree work has begun at Buchanan Street Mall. Tree work on the southern blocks is well underway, with a cluster of pine trees south of McAllister to be removed next week. Tree work will continue progressing to the Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Construction update - Tree Removals and Construction Fencing in early May
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Tree work and tree removal will begin at Buchanan Street Mall the week of May 5. This work is expected to take approximately 2 weeks. Tree work will happen between 7am - 3pm. Expect to see barriers around work zones, marked detours for Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, April 2025
The second shipment of custom play equipment was received last week, and the final delivery is expected within the next two weeks. On-site installation of catch basins is currently underway, and the construction team continues to make steady progress on Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Calling Artists (who have strong ties to the Fillmore)
You are invited to submit an application for your art to be considered for the Buchanan Street Mall Memory Walk! Applications are due on May 23, 2025, by 5:00 pm. The initiative includes art that honors the neighborhood’s rich history, culture and Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Construction begins at Buchanan Street Mall
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the groundbreaking on March 27th! It was a beautiful celebration for and with the Fillmore community. We’re excited to share this milestone moment with you. After more than 10 years of visioning, planning, and Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, March 2025
The first shipment of the custom play equipment has been received, and the contractor is preparing the site to install the same Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Mayor Lurie Breaks Ground on Renovation of Buchanan Street Mall
Long-Anticipated Project Marks the Culmination of a Partnership Between the City and Fillmore Community. Community Space Will Celebrate the History of the Neighborhood While Marking a New Chapter for Western Addition. Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, February 2025
The contractor is currently installing gopher wires between the boulders and preparing to install the permeable rock base for the play area. There has been a delay in the delivery of the custom play equipment due to the snowstorms in Toronto but the Read on…
Let’sPlaySF! Initiative | Let’sPlaySF! Playground Survey extended to Friday, February 28!
Survey extended through the end of February! 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 Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, January 2025
The contractor is currently focused on replacing the fencing along Sloat Avenue and completing the final stages of boulder placement within the playground Read on…
Let’sPlaySF! Initiative | REMINDER: Let’sPlaySF! Playground Survey open through January 31
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…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, December 2024
The contractor is installing the boulder border at the edge of the playground and constructing the wooden boardwalk. Next step will be installing the playground equipment in early 2025 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…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, November 2024
Since our last update in October, the contractor is pouring concrete for the boardwalk footings and working on the tiered seating that connects the lawn to the playground Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, October 2024
Site demolition is complete, and the contractor is currently laying out the boardwalk and concrete footings for the new stepped seating. They are also making site drainage improvements Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, September 2024
Construction has begun! Construction fences are up and the contractor is now working on demolition and off-haul of the old playground equipment. They will begin site utilities next Read on…
Richmond Playground | Construction complete! Playground now open!
Richmond Playground is now open! Thank you for your support throughout construction. This will be our last blog update for this project. Please visit our park improvements webpage to learn about other major projects happening in the parks Read on…
Richmond Playground | Now open! VIDEO: Pint-Sized Critics Put New Richmond Playground to the Test
Playground re-opened this morning following $3.5 million renovation Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, August 2024
We are eagerly awaiting construction to begin on-site. We anticipate that work will start on-site in September. The contractor is putting together a schedule, and the playground equipment is being fabricated Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Playground Renovation Begins!
Last week, we kicked off the Stern Grove Playground renovation! The project will include new furnishings, accessibility improvements, and a complete makeover of the children’s play area with tree-like play structures, natural timber logs, climbing nets Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, July 2024
Our contractor is getting ready for the Stern Grove Playground Renovation. They recently ordered the new playground equipment and will begin work at the site in September. Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, June 2024
We are excited to share that construction will begin this summer on the Stern Grove Playground Renovation Project. The project includes a full renovation of the playground elements with new structures, surfacing and landscaping. There will also be a new Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Project update, May 2024
The contractor selected for the Stern Grove Playground Renovation Project is working on their paperwork and getting insurance and bonds together. We anticipate being able to share a construction start date soon Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Project update, April 2024
The Recreation and Park Commission approved the award of the Stern Grove Playground Renovation project’s add alternates, which include new fencing along a portion of Sloat Blvd, a new irrigation system for the field adjacent to Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Project update, March 2024
Our contractor, Minerva Construction, is working on signing the contract and completing paperwork related to starting construction. We are also happy to share that we will be Read on…
Richmond Playground | Construction update February 2024
Construction continues to be moving along well. Our contractor has continued with demolition, preparation of base material and forming of concrete seat walls for the playground area. Large play equipment has been Read on…
Richmond Playground | Construction update January 2024
Since our last update at the end of November, construction work is making good progress. We’ve kicked off demolition, abatement, and renovation work on the restroom. Most of the old sand has been removed from the play area, and the site is being prepped Read on…
Richmond Playground | Construction update, Nov-Dec 2023 | Richmond Playground Renovation Begins!
We’re excited to share that the Richmond Playground renovation has begun! The project will include new furnishings, upgrades to the Read on…
Additional Background
The Task Force
The Task Force, which was appointed by the Recreation and Park Commission on April 17, 2014, includes a Rec Park Commissioner, leaders from children’s advocacy and parent organizations, children and family service organizations, and citywide open space organizations along with volunteers from the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Committee (PROSAC) and RPD’s GreenAgers program.
The Task Force met seven times and included substantial public participation. After much discussion and analysis, the Task Force unanimously approved a list of 13 playgrounds to be prioritized for renovation, divided into two tiers. The Task Force recommends that all playgrounds containing Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) Pressure-Treated Wood be first prioritized for renovation. The division of such playgrounds into Tiers was based on low Household Median Income (HMI), high Youth Density, and low Parks Alliance Report Card grades.
The Task Force was challenged to identify criteria for Failing Playgrounds and apply it to playgrounds throughout the city. The Task Force made recommendations to the Recreation and Park Commission on playgrounds to prioritize for future renovations. Criteria that the Task Force considered included the following:
- 2010 Census Data
- Analysis of disabled access
- Controller’s Office Proposition C evaluation data
- Evaluation of open space and playground deficient neighborhoods
- Parks Alliance Playground Report Card
- The Physical Condition of the Sites
- Presence of Pressure-Treated Lumber
- San Francisco Unified School District playground locations
Bond Report
View the full Bond Report (PDF) .
Documents and Materials
Key Documents
Map of Potential Playgrounds (CPAs) for Future Renovations (PDF)
Item 7 LetsPlaySF Commission Update Staff Report FINAL 081921
Item 10 LetsPlaySF Commission Update Staff Report_FINAL 031821
Item 13 LetsPlaySF Commission Update staff report_09.19.2019
Item 5E LetsPlaySF! – Final Map of Playgrounds Task Force Recommendations 111617
Item 10 LetsPlaySF! 8.17.17 Commission Update Staff Report 081717
Item 5J Community Opportunity Fund - Parthership Projects Fund Staff Report 061517
Item 8 Failing Playgrounds Task Force Report Staff Report 121814
Meeting Materials
Task Force Meeting Number 1
- 2012 Playground Report Card (PDF) ( SF Parks Alliance )
- 2014 Playground Assessment Tool (PDF) ( SF Parks Alliance )
- 2014 Playground Reassessment Report (PDF) ( SF Parks Alliance )
- City and County of San Francisco Controller’s City Survey Report - Parks and Recreation Chapter (PDF)
- Failing Playground Task Force Goals (PDF)
- Failing Playgrounds Task Force Meeting Number 1 Notes (PDF)
- Meeting 1 Presentation (PDF)
- Proposed Task Force Workplan by Meeting (PDF)
- RPD Park Maintenance Standards PES 4 Evaluation Form - Children Play Areas (PDF)
- Task Force Meeting Number 1 Agenda (PDF)
Task Force Meeting Number 2
- Anatomy of a Playground (PDF)
- Failing Playgrounds Task Force Meeting 2 Notes (PDF)
- Task Force Meeting Number 2 Agenda (PDF)
- Task Force Meeting Schedule (PDF)
- Work Orders related to surveyed Children’s Play Areas (Playgrounds) (PDF)
Task Force Meeting Number 3
- Failing Playgrounds Task Force Meeting 3 Notes (PDF)
- Map Number 1 All Playgrounds (Childrens’ Play Areas) Citywide (PDF)
- Map Number 2 Recently Renovated Playgrounds (Childrens’ Play Areas) (PDF)
- Map Number 3 Potential Playgrounds (Children’s Play Areas) for Future Renovations (PDF)
- Proposed Tiering of Priority Playground Projects (PDF)
- Task Force Meeting Number 3 Agenda (PDF)
Task Force Meeting Number 4
- Failing Playgrounds Task Force Meeting 4 Notes (PDF)
- Tableau Failing Playgrounds Maps and Analysis
- Task Force Meeting Number 4 Agenda (PDF)
Task Force Meeting Number 5
- Draft Proposed Alternatives Presented at Meeting 5 (PDF)
- Failing Playgrounds Task Force Meeting 5 Notes (PDF)
- Maps Presented at Meeting 5 (PDF)
- Playground Profiles Presented at Meeting 5 (PDF)
- Task Force Meeting Number 5 Agenda (PDF)
Task Force Meeting Number 6
- Combined updated Playgrounds Profile List (PDF)
- Draft Final Playgrounds List (PDF)
- Draft Map of Final Playgrounds (PDF)
- Failing Playgrounds Task Force Meeting 6 Notes (PDF)
- Meeting 6 Final Presentation (PDF)
Task Force Meeting Number 7
Task Force Members
- Katie Albright
Executive Director
San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center
- Julia Brashares
Director of Street Parks
SF Parks Alliance
- Chelsea Boilard
Director of Programs
Coleman Advocates
- Alejandra Chiesa
Project Manager - Parks for People
Trust for Public Land
- Rob Connolly
President
Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco
- Anthony Cuadro
D7 Representative
PROSAC
- Dawn Kamalanathan
Director of Planning and Capital Management
SF Recreation and Park Department
- Eric McDonnell
Commissioner
Recreation and Parks Commission
- Doreen Pacini
Youth Representative
GreenAgers
- Albert Ko
Executive Vice President
SF Parent Teacher Association
- Michelle Parker
VP Communications
SF Parent Teacher Association
- Mario Paz
Executive Director
Good Samaritan Family Resource Center
- Mark Scheuer
D8 Representative
PROSAC
- Lee Anne Weldon
Council Member, Policy Council
SF Parks Alliance
Contact Us
Kelli Rudnick
Project Manager Supervisor Email More Information