Commission approves Certificate of Appropriateness for Washington Square playground renovation

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a Certificate of Appropriateness on March 15 for proposed playground and landscape alterations at Washington Square Park.

Frances McMillan, Planning Department staff, introduced the scope of work — replacement of play equipment and the playground perimeter wall, repairing benches, repaving walkways, removing a 1982 staircase, and adding regulatory signage — and recommended approval with conditions requiring final materials be reviewed by preservation staff.

Kara Rupert, deputy director of the Recreation and Park Department’s capital and planning division, said Washington Square Playground is the first of 13 playgrounds to be renovated under the Let's Play SF initiative, part of the 2012 Neighborhood Parks Bond, and described an extensive nine-month community engagement and participatory design process.

The project’s landscape architect described the playground as about “3,000 square feet,” tucked in the park’s northwest corner, and explained design choices to lower the structure’s profile, replace the 1982 staircase for safety, retain historic benches and trees, and shift paving from asphalt to concrete for long-term maintenance and environmental reasons.

After brief public comment (none voiced) and commissioner discussion praising the presentation and prior restroom improvements, the commission moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. The motion passed unanimously, 7–0.

Next steps: final materials will be submitted for preservation staff review prior to building permits.