Celebrating San Francisco's Infrastructure for Play
Celebrating San Francisco's Infrastructure for Play
Doctor's order: cities need to support independent play. So today we're highlighting community play infrastructure!
Hi friends!
Today’s newsletter is about how cities can be designed to encourage independent play, connection and community-building in public spaces, and some initiatives we love in that area. We’ve also included a little section about us going back to work after maternity leave: it’s tough! But first off, some housekeeping and a big announcement!
An intergenerational community workshop
We are opening an inter-generational community workshop in Potrero Hill, at 1736 18th street! Sequoia Fabrica is a volunteers-run non profit providing access to all sorts of tools (for sewing, woodworking, prototyping…) and offering classes and workshops in crafts and engineering for all ages. You can attend classes or become a member. Find out more here, or join us for our family and friends’ opening on February 17! RSVP here.
Events round-up
This month’s parents, kids and parents-curious meet-ups:
Every Monday from 3 to 5pm is family rollerskating and music party in Hayes Valley!
We’re meeting on Thursdays from 11am to 1pm at Manny’s in the Mission
Intergenerational Play Cooperative is inviting seniors, kids, and caregivers to playtime with senior dogs from Muttville on Saturday February 10 at 3pm in the Mission!
More fun (and free) family events by community organizations!
First concert with the SF Symphony at the Main Library on February 3, 11am
Family Dance party at Glen Park library, February 5 at 10pm
Make a dragon puppet at the Marina library on February 7 at 3pm
Every Wednesday 1-3pm, the creative re-use art workshops are open to all at Ruth’s table in the Mission
Saturday mornings 9-11 are for community garden at In Chan Kajaal park in the Mission, and Saturday afternoons in Alemany farm (sign-up required)
The Children’s council hosts playgroups for ages 0-6 on Tuesday mornings at Dolores Park or online
This is strictly for parents, but if any new parents needs a supportive parenting group, CCSF offers a great and free class
We've kept our family swim article up-to-date with the most recent pool hours across the city. We use it often to know which days we can swim where! Plus, SF Recreation & Parks just came out with Youth Swim Passes so you can scan barcodes to get your whole family in the pool lickety-split!
Cities are for Playing
As cars took over the streets and cities offered cramped housing, public health advocates pushed for the development of urban playgrounds in the 1900s. Play, they argued, is essential to children’s development and should be supported. Playgrounds offer children a place to socialize with their peers, exercise and well, have fun.
Playgrounds may now be common, but the concerns that lead to their development are still relevant. Children’s motor skills are on the decline, which can affect their current and future activity levels and their education. Children also prefer in-person play, and they should have more opportunities to safely (and independently!) do so. Plus playgrounds foster strong communities, and offer teens a place to hang out safely: they love swings.
In short, we love playgrounds! San Francisco has 135 of them. And the many ways people and communities support children’s play. So today we want to highlight and celebrate some of the individuals, organizations, projects and officials who make cities more playful for families and by extension, everyone.
Yes on My Curb! Swing and climbing rope
This swing meets climbing rope seen on a walk is what inspired today’s newsletter. It’s one of the many examples of how neighborhoods make sidewalks playful for children, along with benches, street art, seasonal decorations, baskets of chalks, and even bubble machines in their front yards. Thank you neighbors!
Let’s Play SF! Inclusive and safe playgrounds for all
A program supported by the San Francisco Park Alliance and the department of Parks and Recreation seeking to renovate aging (and in some cases dangerous) playgrounds across the city. It brought us playgrounds meeting the current best practices for inclusive play. Consider the Panhandle playground: it’s accessible using a wheelchair, offers many different types of play areas (for climbing, swinging, spinning, playing music, tumbling), a separated sandpit, plenty of seating. And it’s well shaded.
Kids Safe SF! Sunday streetss slow streets, and JFK promenade
Kids Safe SF formed during the 2020 pandemic to address the challenges of children and families during lockdowns. Plenty of space outside! They helped make JFK drive car free, bring the slow streets program to life, and organize the sunday streets program. Busy! It’s hard to overstate how much these programs improve the quality of life of residents. It provides space for creativity, to try out new ideas (dance classes, mobile services…), for exercising, congregating, all things we need for a thriving community.
They Roll! Mobile play, learning and crafts
Outdoor play isn’t just about gross motor skills - it can also support learning and fine motor skills development. The Out and About bookshop is a cute truck full of books about LGBTQ+ stories, organizing playtimes and storytimes all around the bay. Kids get in with a climbing wall! The museum of Craft and Design Mobile Make Art Van partners with SF libraries and other organizations to bring arts and crafts education to all the neighborhoods.They
They inspire change!
If community infrastructure is your jam, you might also be interested in these initiatives: Cities for Play and Studio Ludo’s playgrounds survey.
What we’ve been up to
We’re both easing back into work post maternity leave. It’s hard and exhausting. All of it. Adapting to childcare, changing our routine, and so, so much logistics. Part of processing these changes, Emeline is drawing her mini-human everyday. We hope you too are finding space for yourself and time to work through the emotions rollercoaster of parenthood.
