Merced Heights Playground

Portsmouth Square Elevator Modernization | Construction complete!

The Portsmouth Square Elevator Modernization 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…

Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, July 11, 2025

This month, we’ve completed a substantial amount of work on the pagoda, coring, concrete pouring, new beams, and fiber wrapping. On the plaza, the Post St seating nook planter foundations layout and formwork take shape (see comparison to Read on…

Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation | Project update, July 2025

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our community meeting for the Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation Project on Tuesday, July 8! You can check out the meeting presentation which walks through what we’ve learned so Read on…

Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation | REMINDER: 2nd community meeting, July 8, 5:30-7p

San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD) invites you to join us for our second community meeting on the Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation Project. This is an opportunity to hear project updates, learn about the initial Read on…

Buchanan Street Mall | Construction update, July 2025

Construction fences are now in place on the four southern-most blocks, from Grove St to Turk Street. Construction fencing will be installed on the northernmost block between Turk Street and Eddy Street starting next Monday, July 7. All doors and Read on…

Portsmouth Square Improvements | Call for Public Comments: Portsmouth Square Public Art

The San Francisco Arts Commission Is Seeking Your Feedback on Public Art Proposals that have been selected for Portsmouth Square Clubhouse Wall and Portsmouth Square Entrance Plaza Sculpture before Monday, July 21, at 5 p.m. Read on…

Twin Peaks Trail Improvement Project and Promenade Project | Construction update, June 2025

Cazadoro Construction, our project contractor, continues to make steady progress on the stairway portion of the trail, which is now approximately 75% complete. Next up, crews will begin constructing the retaining walls along the south side of the Read on…

Marina Improvement and Remediation | Project update, June 27, 2025

Due to permitting delays, environmental investigations in the form of borings and sediment sampling scheduled for mid-June will now take place offshore between June 30 to July 8, 2025. Work hours will be between 7:00am and 7:00pm, Monday through Read on…

Sunset Dunes Rolls Out Skate Features

The community is invited to the coastal park to celebrate the new skate space on June 27 Read on…

Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, June 23, 2025

This month, we’ve completed a substantial amount of work on the pagoda. Check out the attached photo of the concrete truck with its incredibly long arm and hose extended to pour concrete to strengthen the Pagoda’s ring beams. Construction Read on…

Gene Friend Rec Center | SoMa Community Celebrates Milestone in Gene Friend Rec Center Renovation

The transformation of the Eugene L. Friend Recreation Center reached a pivotal milestone today as the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department joined community and City partners to celebrate the completion of the building’s main Read on…

Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, June 2025

All play equipment is now installed, except for one piece of custom play equipment that will be delivered to the site soon. In the meantime, the construction team is preparing the new pedestrian pathways for paving. Construction is progressing nicely, and Read on…

Herz Recreation Center | Construction update, June 2025

Exciting progress continues at Herz Recreation Center! Inside the recreation center, the space is coming together beautifully. Many of the interior finishes are complete, including sleek tilework in the restrooms, new cabinetry for the office and Read on…

Jackson Playground Improvements | Project update, June 2026

As part of the ongoing design process for the Jackson Playground Park project, soil sampling will take place on Thursday, June 26, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expect short, intermittent closures and detours at various areas around the park while boreholes are Read on…

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…

Kimbell Athletic Field Renovation | Construction update, June 2025

Construction at Kimbell Athletic Field Renovation is making good progress. Over the last several weeks, the contractor has been working to replace all the fence fabric and damaged posts, as well as completing all the upgraded drainage improvements. Over Read on…

Jackson Playground Improvements | Update from SF Arts Commission Civic Design Review meeting in June

We’re excited to report that the Jackson Playground Improvement Project received unanimous approval from the San Francisco Arts Commission Civic Design Review Committee for the Design Development construction documents (“Phase 2” approval) Read on…

Portsmouth Square Elevator Modernization | Construction update, June 2025

The modernization of all three elevator cabs and equipment has been completed. Final waterproofing work is still in progress. To safely complete this work, one elevator will be taken out of service at a time. We expect all the remaining work to Read on…

Bernal Heights Playground | Project update, June 2025

We are pleased to announce that construction on the Bernal Heights Playground is scheduled to begin in early August. During construction, the entire play area will be fenced off and closed. Construction is expected to last from early August through Read on…

McLaren Park | Focus groups help refine maps and signs

Connectivity planning has been a major focus of McLaren Park 2020 Bond Planning and Vision Plan updates. As part of ongoing project scoping and outreach, Rec and Park staff held three focus groups in May 2025. Representatives from various Read on…

Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation | Second community meeting, July 8, 5:30-7p

San Francisco Recreation and Park Department invites you to join us for our second community meeting on the Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation Project. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas about the future of this important Read on…

McLaren Park Trails | Construction update, June 2025

Our McLaren Trails contractor continues to make great progress on trail and natural features restoration work at the Upper Reservoir. In the last several weeks, they have finished grading work and installed new drainage and irrigation. They have poured Read on…

Marina Improvement and Remediation | Project update, June 10, 2025

As an initial phase of the Marina Improvement and Remediation Project, geotechnical and environmental investigations in the form of borings and sediment sampling will take place offshore between June 30 to July 8, 2025. Work hours will be between Read on…

Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, May 27, 2025

While waterproofing and concrete pours continue in the plaza, work on the underside of the plaza is also happening in the garage. Construction highlights include Plaza/Pagoda Work: Strengthening the Pagoda concrete ring beams and columns, Installing Read on…

Marina Improvement and Remediation | Project update, May 20, 2025

As an initial phase of the Marina Improvement and Remediation Project, geotechnical and environmental investigations in the form of borings will take place on land on May 21, 2025 and offshore in June. Work hours will be 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…

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…

Commission Materials

• Rec Park Commission, staff report, Merced Heights Playground Lower Lawn Terrace Renovation - Approval of Concept Design, March 18, 2021 (PDF)
• Rec Park Commission, staff report, Merced Heights Playground Lower Lawn Terrace Renovation - Award of Contract, February 17, 2022 (PDF)
• Rec Park Commission, staff report, Merced Heights Playground Lower Lawn Terrace Renovation – Contract Amendment, October 12, 2022 (PDF)

Community Meeting Materials

• Merced Heights Field Improvements Meeting #1 Presentation (PDF)

Additional Project Documents

• Concept Plan (PDF)