SAN FRANCISCO, CA — After suffering major fire damage earlier this year, the cherished Lincoln Park Playground welcomed families back today with brand-new play equipment and safety surfacing, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced.
In May 2025, an arsonist set fire to the Richmond District playground, destroying its main play structure, safety surfacing, and several nearby trees.
Rec and Park’s Operations team quickly mobilized to restore the playground, prioritizing a swift and thoughtful recovery for neighborhood families. The team identified funding and construction began in October. Just two months later, the playground was fully rebuilt, bringing the total turnaround from damage to reopening to just seven months.
Located on the southeastern edge of the 100-acre Lincoln Park, the refreshed playground now features a new play structure with a tower, slides, and climbing elements, along with new safety surfacing and fresh plantings.
“San Francisco’s parks bring people together and strengthen our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “I’m thrilled we’re reopening Lincoln Park Playground and giving Richmond District families another safe, welcoming place to play.”
“I am glad that the Lincoln Park Playground is finally reopening, it has been long awaited,” said Supervisor Connie Chan. “All kids deserve to play in a safe and fun space, and let us make sure Lincoln Park Playground will remain such a space for all our kids in the neighborhood.”
“This playground is a cherished gathering place for Richmond District families, and while vandalism forced a temporary closure, the spirit of this neighborhood was never shaken,” said SF Rec and Park Interim General Manager Sarah Madland. “Reopening in just seven months reflects how deeply we value this playground and the families who depend on it.”
The $600,000 renewal project was funded through Rec and Park’s Deferred Maintenance Budget and completed under San Francisco’s new Playground Renewal Program. The program utilizes the department’s Cooperative Purchasing Agreement, allowing Rec and Park to purchase and install high-quality play equipment through pre-bid contracts shared by multiple agencies—reducing costs and enabling a faster, more efficient delivery of improvements.
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