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.
McLaren Park Trails | Construction update, May 2025
In late April and early May, our contractor completed trail work along the western portion of “Main,” wrapping up planned improvements to this major trail artery between the Upper Reservoir and Jerry Garcia Amphitheater. You’ll notice that much of the 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…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Construction update, May 15, 2025
There will be weekend work on-site this Saturday, May 17. We expect noise to be limited due to the scope of work and minimal heavy equipment use. This is the last weekend work scheduled for May. Next week, on Monday, May 19 and Friday, May 23, between Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Upcoming Job Fair + Opportunities for Artists
We want to make sure folks are aware of these upcoming opportunities. First, if you are interested in making art for the Memory Walk at Buchanan Street Mall, please compete the interest form by Friday, May 23. This is a great chance for both new and Read on…
Golden Gate Park - Bay Area Young Survivors (BAYS) Memorial Garden | Construction update, May 2025
The Golden Gate Park - BAYS Breast Cancer Memorial Garden project is now complete. 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 Read on…
Mayor Lurie, Breast Cancer Survivors Unveil Nation’s First Permanent Breast Cancer Memorial Garden
Golden Gate Park’s First New Memorial in More Than 30 Years Honors Lives Lost to Breast Cancer, Offers Place of Healing for All. Read on…
Randolph Bright Mini Park Improvements | Project update, April 2025
Over the past few months, we connected with the community through in-person and virtual outreach, including a neighborhood cleanup day and an online meeting. More than 60 participants completed our questionnaire, providing valuable insight into Read on…
Tenderloin Recreation Center Playground | Design Update, April 2025
The reimagining of the Tenderloin Rec Center Play Area is well underway. After receiving unanimous approval from the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department Commission, the design team has been hard at work finalizing construction documents. As of Read on…
Golden Gate Park | Traffic Improvements Near Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park Begin May 12
Rec and Park, in partnership with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), is making roadway and curb changes in Golden Gate Park along northbound Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near Shakespeare Garden, to improve traffic flow and Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Construction Update and Weekend Work Advisory May 2025
We anticipate that there will be weekend work on-site on the following upcoming Saturdays: May 3, May 10, and May 17. We expect noise to be limited due to the scope of work and minimal heavy equipment use. The contractor team is working to Read on…
Twin Peaks Trail Improvement Project and Promenade Project | Construction update, April 2025
We’re excited to share that construction has officially begun on the connector trail linking Crestline Drive to the upcoming Twin Peak Promenade. Following the successful demolition phase led by San Francisco Conservation Corps, Cazadoro Construction has Read on…
Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, April 29, 2025
We hope everyone enjoyed the Cherry Blossom Festival this month! Our contractor is continuing to pour the concrete footings and waterproof the plaza. Construction highlights include demolition of the entrance path against the Read on…
Portsmouth Square Elevator Modernization | Construction update, April 2025
We’re excited to share that the second elevator is now fully modernized and open for public use. Work on the third and final elevator is currently underway and is expected to continue through early summer. Once that elevator is complete, we’ll begin 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…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Weekend Work Advisory and Construction Update, April 2025
The first concrete pour for the building’s foundation was completed this Monday, April 21. The footprint for the new building is now visible! The contractor team is currently working to install below-grade waterproofing and vapor barrier and will then Read on…
Bernal Heights Playground | Project update, April 2025
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is pleased to share the final design for the Bernal Heights playground. This design grew from the invaluable input of hundreds of community members via our design survey and in-person feedback sessions 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…
McLaren Park Trails | Construction update, April 2025
We’ve made good progress on the trail work and natural features restoration at the Upper Reservoir and throughout the Shelley Inner Core. At the Upper Reservoir, the sloping walkway from the parking lot to the reservoir level was completed, and our 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…
Kezar Pavilion Renovation Project | Concept Design approved by Rec & Park Commission
Thank you to everyone who supported the concept design for the renovation of Kezar Pavilion. The Recreation and Park Commissioners unanimously approved the design yesterday! Our next step is to work on the 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…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Construction update, April 2025
PLEASE BE ADVISED: This Monday, April 21, we will begin the first concrete pour for the building’s foundation. This work will require more than two dozen trucks entering and exiting the site on Monday. Following the concrete pour, the contractor team will Read on…
Herz Recreation Center | Construction update, April 2025
Construction is progressing well at the Herz Recreation Center. Utilities are being tied in, basketball hoops have been installed, and both interior and exterior finishes are underway. These finishings will continue in the coming months. We anticipate Read on…
South Sunset Clubhouse | Construction update, April 2025
Construction is officially underway! Argo Construction, Inc. has started work on the renovation of the South Sunset Clubhouse. While the project focuses primarily on interior improvements, you’ll also notice exterior enhancements, including Read on…
Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation | Project update, April 2025
Thank you to everyone who participated in our digital survey. We received an incredible response! Your feedback is being carefully considered as we move forward with the design. We’ll be reaching out soon with the date for our next community meeting Read on…
Precita Park Improvements | Project update, April 2025
Exciting news! The purchase order for the new restroom has been issued. The Public Restroom Company will secure state-level approvals for the design and then begin fabrication of the structure. Meanwhile, we’ll be bidding out the site work soon, which Read on…
Kimbell Athletic Field Renovation | Construction update, April 2024
We are excited to announce that we have now begun construction on the Kimbell Athletic Field Renovation project! Over the next few weeks, you will see construction fence going up and old turf and fencing being removed all in preparation for new Read on…
Trocadero Clubhouse | Construction update, April 2025 - Construction complete!
The Trocadero Clubhouse Repair project is now complete! 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 Read on…
Marina Project Update | Environmental Review Process Initiated
We are pleased to announce that on Tuesday, March 25th we submitted a project application to the San Francisco Planning Department for the Marina Improvement and Remediation Project. This submittal initiates the formal environmental review per the Read on…
Randolph Bright Mini Park Improvements | Second Design Survey extended through Tuesday, April 8
Thank you to everyone who has taken our second design survey! If you haven’t taken it yet, good news! We’re extending the survey until next Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10:00 pm. Please take a few minutes to complete the design survey and help us create a Read on…