They’ve just released awesome renderings of the site, and construction is due to start in the fall.
Heron’s Head Park, located at the India Basin waterfront, is due to welcome a new children’s Nature Exploration Area! SF Recreation and Parks has released these renderings of the proposed plan, but they are seeking feedback from locals in order to finalize the concept.
A Nature Exploration Area (NEA) is “a place where kids of all ages can connect, explore, and play in nature. A place where kids are encouraged to balance on logs, jump, play in mud, and use natural materials to build dens, castles, towers,” according to the project website.
This space is meant to spark children’s imaginations with interactive equipment and materials – which means adults can get quite creative with the design, too! The preliminary design that we’re seeing here was made in collaboration with SF Recreation & Parks, Kaboom!, Port of SF, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, and Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds.
The proposed site is near an already-existing outdoor classroom, a circle of tree stumps that kids love to play on between the EcoCenter and the parking lot. The NEA will provide an exciting space for children to make their own discoveries, and it will be compatible with EcoCenter programming.
The current design features a playful, spiral-shaped pathway complete with a play zone, seating areas made from repurposed logs, native plants, and stepping stone shortcuts. Big, wacky wooden posts are placed to hang hammocks and bird houses, make nature forts, and more.
At the center of the winding pathways, visitors will find a raised circular area surrounded by native plants. It’s meant to be a space for reflection and quiet contemplation.
The team is asking for feedback about the renderings and plan for the design, which was also initially created with community input. If you want to play a role in the final product, you can take a 5-minute survey to share your thoughts! Learn more at the project website.
Featured image: @RecParkSF via Twitter