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
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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...
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...
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...
Inspired by the success of the beautiful AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park as an example of both a public amenity and a dedicated memorial space, Bay Area Young Survivors (BAYS) inquired Read on...
The San Francisco Planning Department has published the Responses to Comments document for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project on the Read on...
This is a full week for the Buchanan Street Mall Renovations project! The Buchanan Street Mall project team is seeking San Francisco Arts Commission Civic Design Review committee approval on the Read on...
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...
Due to the significance of this project, we will be presenting this to the Rec Park Commission on two occasions in October. The first will be Read on...
Construction at Middle Lake in Golden Gate Park took a brief break during August to make room for Outside Lands but the project is now back up and running! Next steps are Read on...
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...
Thanks to community members who have been keeping an eye on construction progress. A majority of inquiries we’ve received are in the following two categories Read on...
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...
The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for artists has been posted on the Arts Commission website. Deadline for qualifications is September 18 Read on...
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...
We have brought Paulett Taggart Architects onboard as our project designers for South Sunset Clubhouse to work alongside the mechanical and structural engineers from San Francisco Public Works. Currently, the architects are developing Read on...
Rec and Park will be performing construction work to ensure that the Botanical Garden Bookstore complies with required building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act Read on...
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...
We have hit some exciting milestones for the Gene Friend Rec Center Project! On July 17, the Arts Commission Civic Design Review Committee approved Read on...
On July 20, our Rec and Park Commission unanimously approved a contract award to Bauman Landscape and Construction for project work that we believe will greatly improve and revitalize Golden Gate Park's 9th Avenue Gateway Read on...
In preparation for Outside Lands, the contractor will be demobilizing and taking a break for three weeks starting next Monday, July 31. Construction will be in full swing again by September. Read on...
Thanks to community members who have been keeping an eye on the park and on construction progress. A couple of community members have reached out to express Read on...
The Public Art Project Plan for Gene Friend Rec Center will be presented to the Arts Commission Visual Arts Committee (VAC) this week. The meeting is Read on...
The Gene Friend Rec Center project team will be presenting to the Arts Commission, Civic Design Review Phase 2, this coming Monday, July 17, 2:00 pm. This is a public meeting and there is an opportunity for public comment Read on...
A quick construction update on Louis Sutter Playground. We passed our accessibility inspections and construction fencing is coming down soon Read on...
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...
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...
We wanted to share some updates from the Portsmouth Square Improvement Project, a complete renovation of the park slated to begin next year. We have just completed Read on...
A quick update on the Buena Vista Park Improvement Project, a construction project slated for 2025 that will make extensive improvements to the paved path network throughout the interior of the park. The topographic survey Read on...
We found out today that the SF Arts Commission (SFAC), Civic Design Review Committee meeting scheduled for this afternoon was cancelled due to lack of quorum Read on...
11th & Natoma Park: Public Art Survey and Meeting on June 14. Join the San Francisco Arts Commission and Rec and Park for a virtual community presentation Read on...
Rec and Parks and the Arts Commission are co-hosting an online meeting to share updates on the latest facility design, project schedule, and draft public art plan Read on...
On May 12, India Basin Waterfront Park project partners welcomed attendees from the Together Bay Area conference to India Basin Shoreline Park Read on...
We’re excited to report that construction work to replace the field turf at Crocker Amazon has begun! Construction will occur in three phases so that for the duration of construction Read on...
Thanks to everyone who has participated in healing circles over the past several weeks as part of the Buchanan Street Mall Equity Action Initiative Read on...
We're putting the finishing touches on the Lower Lawn Terrace of Merced Heights Playground, in preparation for our re-opening celebration next Friday Read on...
If you have driven down Visitacion Avenue this week, you may have noticed the large towers erected at the Herz Playground construction site. Read on...
We’re happy to report that at the end of last month the donor gift of a prefabricated modular restroom was approved by the Board of Supervisors and Civic Design Review Read on...
Earlier this month, we held a pre-bid meeting on-site to review the scope of the Herz Recreation Center Project with potential bidders. We are looking forward to opening bids on May 17th. As a reminder, the bid information can be found Read on...
We wanted to pass along the following announcement by our partners at California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) regarding the upcoming environmental remediation work that will be happening in East Harbor Marina and Outside East Harbor Read on...
Due to heavy rain and winds, and then saturated soil, construction at Esprit Park was paused for nearly a month. We are happy to report that our contractor Read on...
On Wednesday, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced that she had secured $3 million in federal funding for the Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation Project, which will install new paving, plantings, informal seating and Read on...
Please join us for a community meeting with updates on the Twin Peaks Improvement Project on April 25 at 6:00pm. We will be providing you with the Read on...
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...
The Gene Friend Recreation Center project represents the wholescale construction of a brand-new facility. Currently, the project team is working on Read on...
As a quick update on the Stow Lake Perimeter Path Renovation, construction is moving faster than anticipated. We are nearly finished with the first half of the project Read on...
Thank you to everyone who took part in our first two community meetings this month! The meeting presentation and first project survey are now available online Read on...
As a quick update on the Stern Grove Playground Renovation, we are making some refinements to the final concept design, while continuing regulatory and construction bid preparation Read on...
As a quick update, the upcoming Lake Merced project, which involves renovation of the pathways on the north side of the lake, is undergoing preparation to take construction bids Read on...
At the end of January, three project managers from Rec and Park's Division of Capital and Planning were recognized for their excellence in partnership Read on...
San Francisco Arts Commission’s Civic Design Review for the 11th and Natoma Park Project will be taking place on Monday, March 20th at 2:00 PM Read on...
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the development of the 11th and Natoma concept design! At a recent fourth community meeting a final concept design Read on...
We are excited to announce that we have a Notice to Proceed (NTP) date for the construction contract for the Esprit Park Renovation Project. . . Read on...
Over the last several months we’ve been working on construction documents for the three remaining trail segments slated for renovation: . . . Read on...
Sunnydale Community Hub will provide safe and accessible space for sports, recreation, cultural events, health and wellness resources, and educational programs and activities. Read on...
The final draft conceptual design for the McLaren Trails Priority Improvements project will be presented to the Recreation and Parks Capital Committee . . . Read on...
The Recreation & Park Department broke ground on renovations at Herz Playground in Visitacion Valley on Monday as part of the Let’sPlaySF! initiative that is delivering creative play spaces to children across San Francisco. Read on...
Hi everyone- We are making steady progress on having our construction documents reviewed by the Department of Building Inspection and other City agencies. . . Read on...
You may have noticed a pause in construction recently. Work stopped as we discovered some infrastructure below ground that we had not anticipated. . . Read on...
The rehabilitation project was advertised for bids last month and, because of the complexity of the project, the bid due date was extended to today, 9/7/2022. . . Read on...
Core to the community-driven redesign of Buchanan Street Mall, the Memory Walk is envisioned to physically connect all five blocks of the park . . . Read on...
We are excited to report that, as of early June, the contractor’s certified consulting biologist has confirmed that bird nesting activity on site has been completed. . . Read on...
The contractor asked to be relieved from the construction contract and in February, Commission approved the termination so that we can . . . Read on...
Design is progressing for the stage on the McAllister to Fulton block, thanks to the thoughtful input input provided by local performing art stakeholders Read on...
We're officially under contract with the architecture & engineering team, Mark Cavagnero Associates + Kuth Ranieri Architects Joint Venture. We're looking forward to working with this team to finalize the project design & construction documents. Read on...
The design team is continuing to close design and coordination loops as efficiently as possible, still with the goal of finalizing construction documents and advertising to contractors this spring. Read on...
We have finalized structural engineering for the playground equipment and we aim to bring the construction documents to the Department of Building Inspection Read on...
It’s time to CELEBRATE! For seven years, the Western Addition community has dreamed about what Buchanan Mall could become with the right vision and resources. Those dreams are coming true! Read on...
We are happy to report that we will be presenting award of construction contract to the Recreation and Park Commission for approval this Thursday, February 17. Read on...
The San Francisco Arts Commission invites artists and artist teams residing in the United States to submit qualifications for a public art opportunity Read on...
In February, are looking forward to presenting to the Board of Supervisors for a grant/gift acceptance of $10 million for the project! . . . Read on...
This year we will bring the vision plan into a buildable reality. 2021 marked a year of investigations, structural testing, materials studies and confirming the permit codes with Department of Building Inspections (DBI) Read on...
Hi everybody- We have wrapped up our permit set of drawings and the next step is to have the drawings reviewed by the Building Department for approval. . . Read on...
Hi all- We will be working with a biologist to conduct surveys around Stow Lake for red-legged frogs and to make recommendations on how to minimize any biological impacts. . . Read on...
The San Francisco Planning Department has published the draft environmental impact report for the Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project. . . Read on...
Hi everybody- We are putting the finishing touches on the permit set of drawings, which we will submit to the Building Department for approval. . . Read on...
The Hyde Street stairway has been installed and the view from the top is spectacular. The pathway from the stairway to the great lawn will be poured next week. Read on...
Juri Commons is open to the public! On September 13th the city held a ribbon cutting celebration to commemorate the park’s opening with . . . Read on...
Lighting and safety improvements at VMD are close to completion. We have had a few unfortunate delays from suppliers and subcontractors, but are in the home stretch of construction! Read on...
Consultant on site at Esprit this week to inventory the condition of the storm drainage system that was installed approximately 15 years ago. . . Read on...
We received seven bids in June and Public Works contracting administration is in the final stages of identifying the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. . . Read on...
Hi everybody- We are getting close to wrapping up our construction document for the new playground and the bathroom renovation at Herz Clubhouse. . . Read on...
After almost seven years of community-driven engagement and visioning, SF Rec and Parks is thrilled to be moving forward with a clear schedule for . . . Read on...
Juri Commons reopened following a $1.9 million renovation honoring the Mission District park’s railroad history, featuring a redesign with new plantings, an improved play space for children, grass for dogs, & an adult exercise area with fitness equipment. Read on...
The McLaren Park Native Plant Garden transforms a blighted and hazardous corner of McLaren Park into a functional open space, providing a safe resource for recreation and environmental education about the . . . Read on...
Project progress is moving along well, and the construction team is working diligently despite some delays due to unforeseen site conditions. . . Read on...
We are pushing to advertise an RFP (request for proposals) for a design team (architecture and engineering) this July, with the goal of selecting a team and having them start work by right after the New Year 2022. . . Read on...
Your Victoria Manalo Draves lighting upgrades and park improvements are coming soon! Rec and Park has been working on final preparations with our contractor . . . Read on...
Hi everybody, Our design team is working on the construction documents for the project and we are going through the permitting process with the Department of Building Inspection. . . Read on...
We’re excited to share that planting is nearing completion, embedded rails are installed in the pathway and the team is about to lay down play surfacing in the playground. . . Read on...
The Recreation and Parks Department has executed a construction contract with Cazadoro Construction, Inc. for a summer renovation of Victoria Manalo Draves Park in SOMA. Read on...
Mark your calendars! A groundbreaking event marking the beginning of remediation work on the India Basin project is scheduled for Thursday, June 17 . . . Read on...
Hi all, Our design has completed the detailed design phase and we are currently cost estimating the project and doing regulatory reviews. . . Read on...
Esprit Park is one step closer to a $7.7 million renovation designed to balance the needs of its growing Dogpatch community—from families to fitness enthusiasts to dogs and their people, the SF Rec & Park Department and UC San Francisco announced today. Read on...
Rec and Park staff will be presenting two related Accept and Expend resolutions to the Board of Supervisors Budget & Finance Subcommittee on Wednesday, April 28. Read on...
Hi everyone, Thank you so much for your support at the Recreation and Park Commission and for participating in all our community outreach for this project. Read on...
The West Portal Playground (Children’s Play Area Only) will be temporarily closed April 26 through sometime on April 27 as we do some safety surfacing repairs. Read on...
The entire site has been graded and fence footing installed—so that the boundaries of the field (such as,… home plate, backstop foul lines etc) are easier to see. . . Read on...
The Buchanan Street Mall project team is seeking community feedback to inform the look and feel and the specific equipment included in the new all-ages recreation area in the Turk - Golden Gate block Read on...
The historic Dog Training Area is very close to completion, however project opening has been delayed until late January. We have had some December delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic... Read on...
The Tennis Center is making great progress towards completion in early 2021. The courts are now fully color coated, fences are installed, and planting is nearing completion. Read on...
The park is beginning to take shape as some of the boundaries are being set. Construction excavation continues with foundation installation and a few deep pits. Read on...
Construction at Francisco Park continues to move along smoothly. The elevated pathway structure has been painted and the crew is starting to install the boardwalk Read on...
If you haven’t noticed yet, all the construction fencing has been removed on the project that the public should have full access to the east edge of the park. . . Read on...
The awarded contractor is in the final stages of certification (meaning the back ground check and paperwork has been completed) and we are expected to give them the go ahead “notice to proceed” with construction next month! Read on...
We have great news to share! Yesterday, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission approved the construction contract award for the Golden Gate Heights Playground and Field Renovation Project! Read on...
The Tennis Center construction is moving along on schedule and despite some delays due to COVID-19 the Tennis Center is still on track for a late fall opening. Read on...
Exciting progress! The athletic field and playground are 95% completed, the building is 85% completed, and the entrances and plaza are 75% completed. Read on...
The $1,784,000 contract awarded to JDB & Sons Construction for Shoreview Park Renovation Project started construction on November 18, 2019 and is currently 45% complete. Read on...
The contractor on Guy Place Mini Park has been busy finalizing details on-site such as installing wire mesh around the columns and installing planter railings. Read on...
I hope you are well and finding opportunities to connect with nature and virtually connect with community during this time of sheltering in place. Read on...
I hope you are well and finding opportunities to connect with nature and virtually connect with community during this time of sheltering in place. Read on...
I hope you are well and finding opportunities to connect with nature and virtually connect with community during this time of sheltering in place. Read on...
Thanks to the large group of representatives from community organizations who came out for the Recreation and Park Commission Capital Committee hearing Read on...
The contractor for Guy Place Park, may need to close a portion of the road in front of the park on Wednesday, February 19, from 10:00am-3:00pm Read on...
Construction is well underway for the Garfield Pool renovation project. The glass installation has begun, the sitework around the buildings has Read on...
The Rec and Park project manager is working with colleagues in various divisions and with the Friends of Lafayette Park to finalize the scope of lighting improvements Read on...
Construction activities continue at the Alice Chalmers Playground. The contractor, Azul Works, Inc., has completed the installation of most of the playground equipment Read on...
Rossi Pool Renovation Project is moving forward as scheduled. Work has included demolition of old infrastructure and equipment and the contractor is starting on new structural improvement work. Read on...
Lifetime Activities, a company that runs municipal tennis centers in five Bay Area cities, has been chosen to operate the Golden Gate Park Tennis Center Read on...
Work is continuing at the Group Picnic Area. The curb walls are being finished this week and the play equipment footings will start to be poured. Read on...
Rec Park is working with our project landscape architect to consolidate the community feedback into one design for the playground renovation Read on...
The McLaren Park Trails Improvement Project team has applied for another grant in an effort to leverage already committed 2012 Bond funding. Read on...
Due to construction activities, including the need to get waterproofing work done as soon as possible, tennis court lighting is temporarily out of service Read on...
Please be advised that the Golden Gate Park Dog Training Area will be fully closed from Monday, October 28 through Wednesday, October 30 for tree pruning and removals Read on...
Thanks to those who attended our open house on Thursday, October 3, where we reviewed plans to add lighting per request from the Friends of Lafayette Park. Read on...
Amid a community celebration, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department broke ground today on a project that will transform Shoreview Park in the Bayview Read on...
Last week, the Golden Gate Park Oak Woodlands Trails Improvement Project team, comprised of staff from Rec and Park and Public Works as well as the contractor, Yerba Buena Engineering & Construction, Inc, was honored with an award for partnering Read on...
Just a quick update. On Tuesday, June 18, 2019, the Azul Works Inc. (Contractor) began construction at the Alice Chalmers Playground, a LetsPlaySF! project! Read on...
The San Francisco Recreation & Park Department, the Trust for Public Land and San Francisco Parks Alliance are pleased to kick-off the Schematic Design phase for the future park at the 900 Innes Boatyard at India Basin. Read on...
Do you take the best selfies? Do you like parks? Here’s your chance to channel your inner influencer and win tickets to 2019 Outside Lands Music and Art Festival. Read on...
Amid a neighborhood celebration, city officials today unveiled a new mural celebrating the Bayview-Hunters Point community on a historic building that will become an integral part Read on...
Tennis enthusiasts of all ages gathered today with City officials, the Tennis Coalition of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Parks Alliance to celebrate a new era for public tennis Read on...
The Phil Arnold trail provides a primary, continuous nature trail with wayfinding and interpretive signs for pedestrians and bicyclists. It begins at the intersection of JFK Drive and Conservatory Drive East Read on...
The Gene Friend Rec Center design team presented project design and drawings to the San Francisco Arts Commission’s Civic Design Review Committee Read on...
We are excited to have The Office of Cheryl Barton (O|CB) join us as designers for the conceptual design proposals for the entire 5 block length of Buchanan Mall Read on...
Good news! Our conceptual design for Juri Commons, including a smooth accessible pathway, nature play, slide & swings, and lush greenery throughout, has been approved! Read on...
The design development for the future park at Francisco Reservoir continues to develop, providing a diversity of fully accessible public spaces Read on...
In March 2017, Rec & Park’s partners, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) together with Citizen Film, completed an intensive community engagement process Read on...
George Christopher Playground renovation includes: site work/playground renovation, paving, restroom upgrades, maintenance road work and irrigation work Read on...
