McLaren Park - Herz Playground

Completed and open to the public August 2023!


Background

The renovation of the children’s plHerz Playground opening (1) - Herz Clubhouse and playstructure for younger childrenay area at Herz Playground within John McLaren Park was part of the Let’sPlaySF! Initiative, a partnership between the Recreation and Park Department and the San Francisco Parks Alliance that seeks to inspire creativity and play throughout the City. In the coming years, 13 playgrounds prioritized for improvement by a citizen task force will be reimagined and redesigned for this and future generations of San Francisco’s children.

Scope of Work

This project included a complete renovation of the toddler and school-aged children’s play areas at Herz Playground with all-new play equipment and surfacing. Additional site improvements included new:

  • Benches
  • Fencing
  • Landscaping
  • Pathways
  • Picnic Tables

Additionally, the restrooms at Herz Clubhouse were brought into current code compliance and received cosmetic upgrades.

Artist rendering of Herz Playground after construction with new playground equipment

Funding

Funding came from multiple sources including: $1,195,000 SF General Fund, $1,169,109 Parks Alliances, $310,000 IPIC, $$825,892 2012 Bond, and $80,000 Forestry 2012 Bond, for a total of $3,580,000.

The construction contract award for this project was approved by Recreation and Parks Commission on August 3, 2022 (PDF); Recreation and Parks Commission approved a contract amendment on March 29, 2023 (PDF). This construction contract award obtained and complies with all city, state, and federal regulatory approvals, including any that are specific to this project's funding sources.

Project Schedule

PhaseTimeline
PlanningFall 2018
DesignSpring 2021
Construction contract awardedAugust 3, 2022
ConstructionFall 2022 - Summer 2023
Open to the publicAugust 2023


Get Out and Play!

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  1. Project Update Blog
  2. Documents and Materials
  1. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park – Yosemite Creek | Project updates December 2023

    Rec and Park, in partnership with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), is “daylighting” the historic Yosemite Creek in McLaren Park. “Daylighting” is the process of uncovering and restoring a natural creek that was enclosed in Read on...
  2. Capital Project Update

    Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields | Construction updates Nov-Dec 2023

    Our contractors are working to complete the Geneva parking lot expansion and installation of the new rain garden at Crocker Amazon. Sidewalk repair and other paving improvements will require Read on...
  3. Capital Project Update

    Herz Playground | Project update Nov-Dec 2023 | Restrooms open and all construction now complete

    The Herz Playground renovation is now all complete! All restrooms are now open and available, and all of the new picnic tables, partitions, and permanent fencing have also been installed. Thank you for Read on...
  4. Capital Project Update

    Herz Recreation Center | Construction update November 2023

    Since our last construction update in October, our contractors have completed surveying the site and installing all the necessary tree protection measures. This month, we will Read on...
  5. Capital Project Update

    Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields | Construction updates October 2023

    We’re happy to report that all five of the Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields are now completely renovated and opened to the public again. Our contractors are now Read on...
  6. Capital Project Update

    Herz Recreation Center | Project update October 2023

    Exciting news to share. We broke ground this month on Herz Recreation Center, an all-new facility set to open in early 2025, located at Read on...
  7. Capital Project Update

    Shelley Promenade Project in McLaren Park | Board of Supervisors review, next Monday, Oct 2, 1:30pm

    In June 2023, SF Recreation and Park Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the conversion of a section of John Shelley Drive in McLaren Park, from a vehicular roadway to a permanent pedestrian and bicycle promenade Read on...
  8. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park – Yosemite Creek | Project updates September 2023

    Rec and Park, in partnership with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), is daylighting the historic Yosemite Creek in McLaren Park, as well as Read on...
  9. Capital Project Update

    Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields | Construction updates September 2023

    Construction on Field 5 was completed this month, which means that Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields 1, 2, and 5 are now completely renovated and opened to the public again. Construction on the remaining two fields Read on...
  10. Capital Project Update

    Herz Playground Now Open! | Project update September 2023

    Thank you to all of the community members who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, including our speakers: Mayor London Breed, District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton Read on...
  11. Capital Project Update

    Herz Playground Now Open! | Community, City Officials Celebrate $3.38 Million Makeover

    Creative new play equipment for kids of all ages and a park makeover inspired by nature greeted families at the renovated Herz Playground in McLaren Park Read on...
  12. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park - Louis Sutter Playground ADA | Project update August 2023

    The Louis Sutter ADA project is currently in the design phase. The project was recently awarded a Green Infrastructure Grant by Read on...
  13. Capital Project Update

    Louis Sutter Playground | Temporary parking closure, August 23 + 24

    The southern parking lot and driveway from University Street at Woolsey Street will be closed Wednesday, August 23 through Thursday, August 24 for irrigation and paving repairs. Pedestrian access to the Read on...
  14. Capital Project Update

    Herz Playground | Reopening Celebration, August 24!

    Join us to celebrate the renovation and reopening of Herz Playground on August 24 Read on...
  15. Capital Project Update

    Herz Rec Center | Project update August 2023

    On June 15, our Rec and Park Commission unanimously approved a contract award to SJ Amoroso Construction Co., LLC. to construct the new Herz Rec Center Read on...
  16. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park Vision Plan Update + Upper Yosemite Creek Daylighting Project | August 2023

    Hello neighbors! We have two important updates to share about John McLaren Park. The McLaren Park Planning Survey has been extended through 8/25/2023 Read on...
  17. Capital Project Update

    Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields | Construction updates July 24, 2023

    Crocker Soccer Fields 1 and 2 are now completely renovated and opened to the public. We opted to Read on...
  18. Capital Project Update

    Louis Sutter Playground | Path improvements complete | Construction update July 2023

    Our replacement of a failed asphalt pathway south of Louis Sutter Playground is now complete! The fencing has been Read on...
  19. Capital Project Update

    Louis Sutter Playground | Construction update July 2023

    A quick construction update on Louis Sutter Playground. We passed our accessibility inspections and construction fencing is coming down soon Read on...
  20. Capital Project Update

    Crocker Amazon Soccer Fields | Construction updates July 2023

    We wanted to share an update on the turf replacement happening now at Crocker Soccer. Fields 1 and 2 will be re-opened by late July and then Read on...
  21. Capital Project Update

    Complete the McLaren Park 2020 Bond Planning priorities survey

    We’ve created a new map-based survey to collect your thoughts on possible programming, infrastructure, and connectivity improvements in John McLaren Park. Please take 15-20 minutes Read on...
  22. Capital Project Update

    Herz Playground | Project update June 2023

    We are rounding the corner on progress with Herz Playgound and the space is really taking shape! The play equipment is Read on...
  23. Capital Project Update

    Herz Recreation Center Project update | April 2023

    Herz Recreation Center is out to bid! Bids are due on Read on...
  24. Capital Project Update

    Virtual Community Meeting, April 11 | McLaren 2020 Bond – Possible Projects and Priorities

    Join us for a Virtual Community Meeting on April 11. The project team will share possible project ideas for specific program areas, infrastructure improvements, and Read on...
  25. Capital Project Update

    SF Rec and Park Commission Meeting at Joe Lee Rec Center | March 16 at 10 a.m.

    Come meet your Rec and Park Commissioners at our offsite Commission meeting at Joe Lee Rec Center Read on...
  26. Capital Project Update

    Herz Recreation Center Project update | February 2023

    We are finalizing our bid set of documents for the Herz Recreation Center Project... Read on...
  27. Capital Project Update

    John Shelley Drive in McLaren Park – Virtual Community Meeting

    Please join us in discussing the future of John Shelley Drive, including a proposed car-free promenade segment . . . Read on...
  28. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park Improvement Projects Update 12/20/22!

    Thank you to everyone who participated in our community meeting on December 6th. . . Read on...
  29. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park Improvement Projects Community Meeting December 6th online!

    December 3rd meeting moving to December 6th, online . . . Read on...
  30. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park Improvement Projects Community Meeting December 6th online!

    Join us in person to share ideas and prioritize park improvements! . . . Read on...
  31. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park Vision Plan Update 10/26!

    We are busy behind the scenes preparing to host a community meeting later this year. . . Read on...
  32. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park Vision Plan Update 9/16!

    We are looking forwarding to meeting with the community this Fall to discuss project ideas for investing the 2020 Bond funding. . . Read on...
  33. Capital Project Update

    Visitacion Avenue Crossing Project Update 10/7!

    We are awaiting bid results for this project . . . Read on...