SAN FRANCISCO – Bayview neighbors, kids, and city officials were celebrating the ground beneath their feet today with the completion of a major overhaul of Silver Terrace Playground’s athletic field.
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department replaced the 13-year-old synthetic turf on the 145,000 square foot field, which hosts a soccer pitch and two baseball diamonds. The new turf has natural cork and sand infill for sustainability and durability. Other improvements include new soccer goals, benches, trash cans, backstops, gates and a drinking fountain with a water bottle filler. Park-goers also greeted accessibility improvements to the Silver Avenue entrance and park restroom.
Bayview United, an SF Rec and Park youth soccer team, held a ceremonial first kick on the new playing field.
“I am so excited by the renovation of Silver Terrace,” said District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, who was also on hand. “This park is a true asset for the community. As we push for more open space in the community, we appreciate all the work Rec and Park is doing in the community and with our office.”
The $4.8 million renovation took three months to complete.
“The community has been the driving force behind this renovation,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “Silver Terrace is an important hub for young athletes and their fans, as well as a beloved neighborhood gathering space.”
In 2006, Silver Terrace was the second field to be renovated under the Playfields Initiative, a $52 million public-private partnership between the City Fields Foundation and SF Rec and Park. City Fields Foundation was established by Bob, Bill and John Fisher to help San Francisco upgrade its run-down athletic fields and provide more play space for the city’s 800,000 children and adults. In six years, the initiative renovated 12 athletic fields in six parks with synthetic turf and night lights and reorganized the city’s antiquated field permit system. The efforts added more than 66,000 hours of annual playtime to San Francisco’s parks and put the city on track to eliminate the deficit of athletic fields for local kids.