Commission awards $1.64 million contract for Tenderloin rec center play-area improvements

The Recreation and Park Commission voted to award a construction contract to Baumann Landscape and Construction Inc. for improvements to the Tenderloin Recreation Center children’s play area, totaling up to $1,638,460.

The contract covers the base bid and bid alternates 1, 3 and 4; the lowest responsive base bid submitted was $1,528,000. Construction is expected to begin this summer, take about seven months and the project is targeted to open in spring 2026.

The project was selected in 2022 to receive a $1,000,000 Cal Fire green schoolyard grant in partnership with Wuyi Children’s Services and Kaboom, and staff said the final design balances active play, a nature exploration area, ADA upgrades and a relocated soccer court to buffer the playground from the street. Project manager Carrie Ayers said outreach included hands-on design events with preschoolers and partners such as SF Children and Nature, Up on Top, Glide and Street Soccer USA.

Commissioner Louie moved approval and Commissioner Hallasey seconded. The motion passed with the commissioners present voting in favor and no opposition recorded.

Commissioners and staff said the Tenderloin site was prioritized because it sits in an environmental-justice community with limited access to open space and that the improvements aim to increase equitable access to nature-rich play close to home. The contract award authorizes Baumann Landscape and Construction Inc. to proceed with the build and for Public Works to certify the contract.

Construction timing and the inclusion of alternates were noted as important to allow completion of accessibility upgrades and community-prioritized elements. The department will manage construction oversight and schedule public updates as work progresses.

The commission approved the item during its open meeting; staff and the contractor will complete contract certifications before mobilizing crews later this summer.