In certain San Francisco neighborhoods with a lot of kids, the options for outdoor play are drastically limited by constant car traffic, which makes video games and TV seem like the only choice for entertainment.

Not anymore!

The Mayor’s Office, Sunday Streets, and San Francisco Beautiful are collaborating on Play Streets for All, because we all believe that a car-free street is a viable place to play. Plus, what better way to combat the childhood obesity epidemic than a day of fun and games? And maybe some other day too, and then a day after that…

Enter the “Play Street.” This is a permitted road closure offering a few hours of safe and healthy playtime, organized by a group of neighbors with the support of city agencies. As a pilot project, a Play Street event will appear in each of four select neighborhoods starting this summer. To make it all happen, SF Beautiful is helping to train interested parents and leaders in the process of arranging events for their neighborhood.

At each of four free workshops (see below for times and locations), participants will quickly learn how to access permitting resources available to them, and about how best to engage the community while also meeting standards for safety. There’s free food, and you’ll probably see someone you know. No need to prepare any materials, we’ve got it covered. EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND! No special qualifications or training needed. (In fact, that’s kind of the idea.)

Reserve a spot at one of these workshops today! They’re already filling up. Write french@sfbeautiful.org or leave a message at 415.421.2608 x15.

Saturday, May 4: For all residents of SF with an emphasis on District 6. 201 Turk Street Apartments Community Room, 201 Turk Street, SF 94102. 1-2:30pm. Write french@sfbeautiful.org to sign up for the May 4 event!

Saturday, May 11: For all residents of SF with an emphasis on District 5. Venue: Rosa Parks Apartments, 1251 Turk Street, SF 94115. 1-2:30pm. Write french@sfbeautiful.org to sign up for the May 11 event!

Sunday, May 19: For all residents of SF with an emphasis on District 11. Venue: Excelsior Branch Library Community Room, 4400 Mission St, SF, CA 94112. 1-2:30pm. Write french@sfbeautiful.org to sign up for the May 19 event!

Thursday, May 23: For all residents of SF with an emphasis on District 10. Venue: Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre, 4705 3rd St, SF, CA 94124. 5:30-7pm. Write french@sfbeautiful.org to sign up for the May 23 event!

At this early stage, only groups from Bayview, the Western Addition, the Excelsior, and the Tenderloin can be granted a permit. Still, all SF residents are welcome to attend any one meeting. It’s a great learning opportunity! 

Following the success of this summer’s initial events, we hope to see a Play Street permit–inexpensive, easy to find and fill out, accessible to anyone interested–become a lasting feature of San Francisco’s world-class recreational lineup, in all neighborhoods. 

Play Streets for All is a project of SF Beautiful, MTA/Sunday Streets, and the SF Mayor’s Office; funding is provided by the Partnership for a Healthier America.