Park Improvements
Capital and Planning Division
Our Capital and Planning Division oversees a large portfolio of park renovations, developments, and acquisitions. Together with community members and park advocates, our Capital and Planning team strives to create and renovate parks that solve social problems and enhance community resilience. The Capital and Planning Division was created in 2005 in response to the passage of the 2000 Neighborhood Parks Bond. Soon after the creation of the Division, the Mayor and Board of Supervisors adopted RPD’s first ten-year Capital Plan to assess the City’s future infrastructure needs, the investment required to meet them, and the plan of finance. The Capital Plan is now updated and reissued every two years. It is used to prioritize critical capital projects that impact public safety. It places a strong emphasis on accountability, transparency, and meeting the highest level of fiscal responsibility.
Project Updates If you would like to sign-up for Project Update blog posts like the ones below, click here , scroll down to the News Flash section, and then select “RPD Park Improvements | All Project Updates” to receive updates on all our active projects, or pick-and-choose your blog subscriptions by project name. You’ll receive an email that includes a link to confirm your new subscription for each blog for which you sign-up.
Kezar Pavilion Renovation Project | Project update, January 2024
Next month, RPD staff will be presenting the concept design for the Kezar Pavilion Renovation Project to the Recreation and Park Commission for approval. This marks an important milestone for the project, and we want to thank everyone for their Read on…
Trocadero Clubhouse | Construction update, January 2025
Getting closer! Our operations staff are putting on the finishing touches to make sure our beloved Trocadero is ready for public use. Stay tuned for an update about the project’s completion, which should be coming soon 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…
Build Your Future with CityBuild Academy!
Rec Park is proud to collaborate with CityBuild and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development to support workforce development. These partnerships have enabled us to engage local laborers, who are currently making an impact at Herz Rec Center. Read on…
Esprit Park | Re-opening Celebration on February 5
Join us for the reopening of Esprit Park (19th and Minnesota streets) on February 5, from noon to 1 p.m. This 2-acre park in the city’s Dogpatch neighborhood has undergone an extensive renovation, featuring two beautiful new meadows Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Construction update: Weekend Work on 1/25 and Parking Reminders
Please be advised that we anticipate the Contractor team will be working this Saturday, January 25, from 7 am to up to 7 pm. While we have encountered several challenges with obstructions in the soil, we have worked collaboratively with the design and Read on…
Bernal Heights Playground | REMINDER: Drop-in Q & A session with Rec Park staff today, 1/23, 2:30-4:30
Drop-in Q & A session with Rec Park staff today! - Thursday, January 23, 2:30-4:30pm. Meet at Bernal Heights Recreation Center Playground (Moultrie Street & Cortland Avenue). Survey now extended through Sunday, January 26! Read on…
Bernal Heights Playground | Drop-in Q & A session with Rec Park staff, Thursday, January 23, 2:30-4:30
Drop-in Q & A session with Rec Park staff, Thursday, January 23, 2:30-4:30pm. Meet at Bernal Heights Recreation Center Playground (Moultrie Street & Cortland Avenue). Survey now extended through Sunday, January 26! Read on…
Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, January 17, 2025
Saturday Work scheduled for January 18 and January 25 to catch up from holiday rain delays. No night work in January. Waterproofing work continues on the concrete slabs near Post Street East Mall entrance and behind the fences of the current Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Exciting Opportunity Alert - Orientation for Construction Training!
Build Your Future with Success Centers and the Buchanan Street Mall Renovations Project! Are you ready to jumpstart your career in construction? Our workforce development partner, Success Centers, is hosting Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training Read on…
McLaren Trails | McLaren Park Upper Reservoir Parking Lot closed, starting 1/20
Upper Reservoir Parking Lot and nearby trails and paths will be closed for more than a month, weather depending, starting 1/20. The pathway circling the Upper Reservoir remains open as do the connections to this pathway from Philosopher’s Way in the 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…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Construction update: Weekend Work on 1/11 and 1/18
Please be advised that we anticipate the Contractor team will be working this Saturday, January 11, and, likely, the following Saturday, January 18, from 7 am to up to 7 pm. While we have encountered several challenges with obstructions in the soil, we Read on…
Bernal Heights Playground | REMINDER: Community meeting, Saturday, January 11, 10am-12pm
Please join the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to discuss the renewal of the playground surfacing and equipment at the Bernal Heights Recreation Center Playground. Share your feedback with our survey Read on…
Golden Gate Park-Senior Center Outdoor Recreation Area | REMINDER: Survey #2 open through January 13
Based on feedback from the initial round of community outreach, two concept designs have been created to illustrate a range of potential alternatives. The NEW OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA will enable us to support more senior-focused outdoor fitness 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…
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…
Portsmouth Square Elevator Modernization | Construction update, December 2024
We have now wrapped up work on elevator car 1. It will be open to the public in early 2025. Work on elevator car 2 will begin once elevator 1 is back in service Read on…
Lake Merced Trail Improvements | Construction complete!
The renovated pathway along the NW corner of Lake Merced is officially open to the public! We have replaced fitness stations, benches, and picnic tables, installed a new drinking fountain, and upgraded ADA parking spaces. Additionally, we planted new Read on…
Harding Park ADA Improvements | Project update, December 2024
The ADA focused improvements at Harding Park and Clubhouse are in the final stages. We have installed a new pedestrian crosswalk linking the clubhouse to the driving range, and made improvements to the ADA accessible parking stalls, and the outdoor patio Read on…
Kezar Pavilion Renovation Project | Project update, December 2024
Thanks to everyone who attended our third community meeting on December 16, where we explored the final concept design for this legendary venue. The meeting materials, including the presentation and meeting boards, are now posted on the project webpage 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…
Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, December 24, 2024
The recent rains are testing our newly installed waterproofing! To date, 80% of the waterproofing substrate preparation and 50% of the waterproofing assembly have been completed, and they are performing beautifully! East Mall: Entrance from Post Street Read on…
Golden Gate Park-Senior Center Outdoor Recreation Area | Survey #2 open now through January 13
Based on feedback from the initial round of community outreach, two concept designs have been created to illustrate a range of potential alternatives. The NEW OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA will enable us to support more senior-focused outdoor fitness Read on…
Bernal Heights Playground | Community meeting, Saturday, January 11, 10am-12pm
Please join the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to discuss the renewal of the playground surfacing and equipment at the Bernal Heights Recreation Center Playground. Share your feedback with our survey Read on…
Esprit Park | Construction update, December 2024
We are continuing to push toward substantial completion of construction and the re-opening of the park. We have a couple big pushes left: Delivery and installation of wood and metal custom picnic tables and benches and replacement of damaged park signs Read on…
Rachele Sullivan Park | San Francisco Arts Commission selects Wofford’s Natomarama art proposal
On Monday, December 2, the San Francisco Arts Commission approved artist Jenifer Wofford’s conceptual proposal, Natomarama, for the public art opportunity at Rachele Sullivan Park (11th and Natoma). Congratulations to the artist and to the dedicated Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Construction update, December 2024
Please be advised that we anticipate the Contractor team will be working this Saturday, December 21, from 7 am to no later than 7 pm. We are authorizing this work to keep construction progressing as quickly as possible. Weekend work that was scheduled for Read on…
Trocadero Clubhouse | Construction update, December 2024
We are finishing up the last of the FEMA inspections in preparation for reopening the clubhouse next year. Please stay tuned for upcoming news about when the building will be ready once again for public use. We are almost there! Read on…
Marina Project Update | Community Meeting Q & A Summary and Next Steps
Thank you to all who attended our Community Meeting on 12/5/2024. You will find a summary of the Q & A, inclusive of questions we were not able to answer at the meeting, as well as a link to the slides from Read on…