SAN FRANCISCO, CA – More than 200 young children at seven San Francisco childcare centers and family childcare homes are enjoying newly renovated green outdoor play spaces that inspire learning, movement, and imaginative play. The “green” makeovers were revealed today at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a childcare center in the Bayview.

The transformations were made possible by the Connecting Children with Nature program, created by Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) with funding from the Department of Early Childhood (DEC) and in collaboration with the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department (Rec & Park) and SF Children & Nature. The program brings together unique public and private partnerships along with community volunteers and in-kind donations of natural materials including logs and stumps from the Presidio and Golden Gate Park.

The transformed play areas include new plantings and gardens for experiencing nature and inviting pollinators, new trees donated from Friends of the Urban Forest, logs and tree stumps for climbing, sand and gravel pits, creeks, mud kitchens, and natural loose parts for creative and imaginative play. The designs were developed in collaboration with educators and administrators to support educational goals and sustain outdoor learning opportunities over time. In addition to the physical transformations, LIIF is providing one year of professional development and coaching for all the teachers on best practices in nature-based early childhood education to prepare them for meaningful outdoor learning.

Kids who grow up with nature are healthier, happier, and more curious. Early childhood is the most important time to shape lifelong habits and opportunities, and ensuring that every child—regardless of income, race, or neighborhood—has access to green spaces and outdoor experiences supports lifelong learning, health, and resilience.

Since its inception in 2021, the program has revitalized more than 30 outdoor play spaces across the city into natural oases for San Francisco’s youngest residents. Looking ahead, the initiative aims to expand into 10 more childcare care facilities in the coming year. This expansion will further its mission of nurturing children’s connection with nature, providing safe, enriching, and stimulating settings to develop their skills and curiosity while developing a love for the outdoors.

Data shows that access to outdoor space is essential to the development and growth of all our city’s children. Nature promotes creativity and responsibility, and provides an opportunity for kids to play, imagine and just be themselves. Investing in outdoor space and nature is investing in our children’s mental and physical health and promoting the importance of keeping our earth safe.
“Every child in San Francisco should have the chance to learn, grow, and spend time outside,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “These transformed play areas will give San Francisco’s kids the opportunity to explore the outdoors in a safe space. By investing in early childhood and creating spaces like these, we’re building a healthier and stronger future for the next generation of San Franciscans.”

“When children have access to natural play spaces, their development blossoms—physically, socially, and emotionally,” said Ingrid Mezquita, Executive Director of the Department of Early Childhood. “With DEC’s $1.5 million investment, we are transforming childcare centers and family childcare homes with vibrant outdoor environments that spark imagination and curiosity. Every child deserves the joy of nature, and this investment makes outdoor learning a promise—not a privilege. By creating these opportunities and equipping educators with the tools to bring nature-based learning to life, we are building a healthier, more resilient generation and shaping a stronger future for our city.”


“This project stands as a powerful testament to collaboration and community engagement,” said Elizabeth Winograd, ECE Director at LIIF. “By creating healthier outdoor spaces, we’ve not only provided children with opportunities to connect deeply with nature, but also supported teachers in fostering learning environments where children can truly thrive. We are proud to have played an instrumental role in this important work.”
“We are thrilled that trees and natural materials from Golden Gate Park and the Presidio have found new life in preschool greening projects—bringing a piece of our parks to the places where children grow, learn, and play,” said Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of SF Rec and Park. “Experiencing nature in early childhood is essential: children are natural explorers, and time in nature makes them happier and more resilient. We are proud to be part of SF Children & Nature, a collaborative working to ensure every child in our city has the opportunity to experience nature every day.”

Renovated Sites
Child Care Centers:
- FACES SF – Bayview
- Felton Institute – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center (MLK)
- Epiphany Center
Family Child Care Homes:
- Delia’s Little Angels
- La Bamba Preschool
- Lucy C Kwok Family Childcare
- Billygoats/ Las Cabritas

Program collaborators:
- Low Income Investment Fund
- Department of Early Childhood
- San Francisco Children & Nature
- SF Recreation & Park Department
- Presidio Trust
- SF Public Library
- California Native Plant Society (Yerba Buena Chapter)
- Friends of the Urban Forest
- John O’Connell Technical High School
