San Francisco Shared Schoolyard

The Shared Schoolyard Project is a partnership between the City of San Francisco, the San Francisco Unified School District, and San Francisco’s neighborhoods and communities that envisions and provides for a place for children and families to play and gather within walking distance of every child in San Francisco. Through this unique joint partnership, the City and the School District are able to open schoolyards to the public across the city, with at least one in each of San Francisco’s 11 Supervisorial Districts.

The Shared Schoolyard Project was revamped under the leadership of District 2 Supervisor Mark Farrell, who has led in the fundraising efforts for the project, Mayor Ed Lee, Interim Superintendent Myong Leigh, the San Francisco Unified School District, San Francisco’s Recreation and Parks Department, San Francisco’s Department of Public Works, San Francisco Police Department, and 311 to increase more open space for our children and families to play and gather.

Currently, over 40 public schools citywide are enrolled in the Shared Schoolyard Project. The Shared Schoolyard Project is working to enroll all of San Francisco’s public schools, so that every child and family in San Francisco can have a clean and safe place to play and gather on the weekends.

Enrolling your school in the Shared Schoolyard Project provides so much more than just an open schoolyard for a place to build community.

Our Mission

The Shared Schoolyard Project’s mission is to create more accessible and safe spaces for our children and families to gather and play throughout the City of San Francisco. The Shared Schoolyard Project will encompass every supervisorial district and will succeed through collaborative partnerships with the City of San Francisco, the San Francisco Unified School District, Neighborhoods and Communities, the San Francisco PTA, Corporate Sponsors, and other Non-Governmental and Community Based Organizations. We envision providing a place to play within walking distance of every child in San Francisco.

Upcoming events

Events
- 22
  
  July, 2017 12:00 PM
  
  Shared Schoolyard 3v3 Basketball Tournament — Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
  
  More Info
  
  RSVP
Latest from the blog

News & Media

Party in the Panhandle at New Traditions Elementary

Jun 20 · By San Francisco Shared Schoolyard Project · Share

In the midst of a historic San Francisco heatwave, families were searching for a way to enjoy the outdoors. And what better way to do so--than a celebration of the open schoolyard at New Traditions Elementary School! The clouds that forced a rain cancellation of the original opening in November were nowhere to be seen. Even with a little wind, the community was ready to celebrate in style.

A few of our favorite organizations attended to table and provide all sorts of activities for families, as well as share information on their amazing work. Tenacious Tennis Academy served up some terrific sets of tennis. Wee Scotty taught us all how to create beautiful works of art. SF Youth Soccer played some nailbiter matches in the lower yard. The Circus Center entertained with all sorts of varied juggling acts. AcroSports set up a full obstacle course for kids to tumble and flip through to the delight and cheers of their parents.

Surrounded by excited children, Supervisor Mark Farrell and Principal Alderete officially cut the ribbon to mark the occasion of this new neighborhood resource. We were also joined by Thea Selby, member of the San Francisco City College Board of Trustees, whom announced to the crowd the exciting news that City College is now free for all San Francisco residents!

The schoolyard at New Traditions Elementary School is now open to the public on weekends between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. The schoolyard will be opened by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and cleaned by the San Francisco Department of Public Works. For any questions or specific information about the Shared Schoolyard Project, please contact Amy Randel at randela@sfusd.edu.

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Neighborhood Comes Together for Schoolyard Opening at SF Community Alternative

Jun 08 · By San Francisco Shared Schoolyard Project · Share

On Sunday, June 4th, families and community members of the Excelsior neighborhood gathered at San Francisco Community Alternative to celebrate the grand opening of the schoolyard on the weekends. It might have been a little windy outside but this didn't stop the children and parents from having fun and making use of the newly accessible open space in the neighborhood!

A wide array of organizations attended this event to table and provide activities of all sorts for the kids, as well as inform the parents on the amazing work they do for their communities. Multiple organizations provided opportunities for children to run around and get active. The Tenacious Tennis Academy and the United States Tennis Association set up nets and provided racquets and balls while SF Youth Soccer provided small goals and soccer balls for the children to enjoy. The Circus Center was also a big hit with their entertaining activities and equipment. But perhaps the most exciting part of the day was the appearance of the San Francisco Giant's mascot Lou Seal! Kids and parents alike were so excited to take pictures with and give high fives to the friendly seal.

Once again, Supervisor Mark Farrell made an appearance to thank all of the community partners for supporting their local neighborhoods and the San Francisco Shared Schoolyard Project. We were also very happy to welcome Supervisor Asha Safai, who stopped by to celebrate the schoolyard opening.

The SF Community Alternative Schoolyard will be open on the weekends from now on between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The schoolyard will be opened by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks department and cleaned by the San Francisco Department of Public Works. For any questions or more information about the San Francisco Shared Schoolyard Project, please contact Amy Randel at randela@sfusd.edu or (415) 308 - 6596.

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