Panhandle Playground Slated For Renovation

Panhandle Playground Slated For RenovationPhoto: Camden Avery / Hoodline
Nuala Sawyer
Published on December 20, 2014
The long-suffering playground in the Panhandle park is finally getting an upgrade. Victim to time, frequent wear and tear, and grown-up play, the playground pales in comparison to other high-tech kids' play areas in the city. 

The Panhandle playground was built in 1965, and hasn't had an upgrade since 1998. The upcoming renovations are being funded by the 2012 Park Bonds Fund, which allocated, among other things, $15.5 million for "failing playgrounds." That funding will be spread amongst six playgrounds around San Francisco, including the Panhandle's. The playgrounds were selected by a task force based on criteria including "low household income, high youth density, and low Parks Alliance Report Card grades and rankings."

Supervisor London Breed announced the funding on her Facebook page last Wednesday, calling it "an early holiday gift to District 5."  

Details of the makeover have not been released yet, but other newly-renovated kids' play areas in San Francisco (like the Duboce Park playground) feature upgrades like high-tech play matting and climbing trees. As to whether we'll get a super slide, sand garden, or shipwrecked boat like the Dolores Park playground? We'll just have to wait and see. 

We'll keep you updated as a construction schedule and plan is announced. What would you like to see improved upon in our small neighborhood playground? 

Thanks tipster Elana for the heads up.