The SFPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement and philanthropy to protect, sustain, and enrich San Francisco’s parks and open spaces. SFPA’s Playground Initiative buildings partnerships with the community, elected officials and San Francisco’s RPD to ensure that the city’s playgrounds are valued, protected, and improved. The Initiative includes a number of components that address playground maintenance and stewardship:

1. SFPA hosts playground volunteer workdays and cleanups and events.
2. SFPA works with RPD to conduct a comprehensive survey of public playgrounds every two years to evaluate safety and maintenance needs. The survey results are published in a Playground Report Card, which helps determine which playgrounds are in the worst condition and in need of the most attention.

In 2012, the SFPA was a major sponsor of the Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, which set aside $15.5 million to fix failing playgrounds in San Francisco. The Playground Initiative program itself has received financial support from numerous foundations, local advocacy groups, and private companies.