In some San Francisco neighborhoods the options for community gatherings and outdoor play are limited -not only by the availability of safe, open spaces- but by the permitting process that allows communities to program and access these spaces. 25% of San Francisco is street or sidewalk space. Creating a process to allow temporary street closures that are easy and inexpensive, provides new access to existing public space.
San Francisco Beautiful with Mayor Lee, SFMTA, Sunday Streets, Livable City launched Play Streets in 2013 because we believe that car-free public places can be great spaces for fun.
Play Streets was a successful pilot project that streamlined the permitting process for small-scale road closures offering a few hours of safe and healthy playtime, organized by a group of neighbors with the support of city agencies. The pilot focused on key neighborhoods: Tenderloin, Excelsior, Bayview, and Western Addition.
The national Play Streets initiative is sponsored by Partnership for a Healthier America – chaired by First Lady Michelle Obama as part of her national campaign to end childhood obesity – with funding provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.