San Francisco has serious playground pedigree: It’s home to the first permanent, large-scale one in the country, Koret Children’s Quarter (opens in new tab), which opened in 1888. Tucked between Kezar Stadium and Robin Williams Meadow, the Golden Gate Park play area has slides, a carousel, and a blue wave-shaped climbing structure.
Now there are more than 170 playgrounds in the city’s green spaces. They vary in size and style, but all have something unique to offer, be it a prime location, photo-worthy views, or public art.
San Francisco Recreation and Parks (opens in new tab) maintains the majority of these public playgrounds. Stacy Bradley, director of the capital and planning division, says the city’s public play spaces are always a work in progress. “I feel like we’re always iterating and trying to add new things,” she says. Gene Friend (opens in new tab), the city’s newest playground, opened last month, and Shipwreck Cove (opens in new tab) at Sunset Dunes is under construction and expected to open this year…