The Tenderloin Rec Center Playground is being thoughtfully redesigned by SF Recreation and Parks in collaboration with SF Children in Nature, Wu Yee Children’s Services, Up On Top, Tenderloin Community Benefit District (CBD), Street Soccer USA San Francisco, KABOOM! and LIIF. This project integrates extensive community input gathered through outreach events, stakeholder meetings, and interactive activities to ensure the design reflects local needs and priorities.
The proposed concept highlights a nature-forward approach, flexibility, and inclusivity. It features natural wood play structures such as climbing towers and nest swings, open programming spaces, and quiet retreat areas. The design enhances safety by improving separation from the street and ensuring clear sightlines for supervision. Additional elements include carved logs, new trees, and plants to integrate natural elements into the urban landscape. The project also includes ADA-compliant upgrades to the recreation center.
Supported by a $1 million CAL FIRE Green Schoolyard Grant, the Tenderloin Neighborhood will benefit further from the Green Schoolyard Project. With the highest density of children and limited access to nature, this initiative aims to reduce heat and improve health through the addition of 16 new trees, over 1,000 sq. ft. of planting, an outdoor classroom, nature-based play elements, and a new irrigation system.
BASE Landscape Architecture has guided the final design process by collaborating three outreach events and multiple stakeholder meetings. The final design prioritizes flexible open spaces for programming, adaptable furnishings like picnic tables and benches, and clear supervision sightlines. It includes active play features for children, such as climbing towers and swings, as well as a buffer between the playground and the street.
The finalized concept design will be presented to the SF Recreation and Park Commission for approval on Thursday, January 16.
Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Keri Ayers, Project Manager, keri.ayers@sfgov.org, (415) 885-9252.
For more information, visit the project webpage: https://bit.ly/tenderloinrecplayground