Golden Gate Park in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The First Public Children's Playground in the United States
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 14, 2010
1. The First Public Children's Playground in the United States Marker
The first public children's playground in the United States was established here in 1887 by gift funds received from the Sharon bequest. The east expansion and rehabilitation work of 1977 were funded by Walter and Elise Haas, by Walter and Phyllis Shorenstein, the Fuhrman Bequest, & Friends of Recreation and Parks
Text of second side of marker:
George R. Moscone mayor
Recreation & Park Commission
Eugene L. Friend president
Loris DiGrazia
Peter G. Armstrong
Keith Eichman, Tommy Harris, Lidia LaGarda, Amy Meyer
John J. Spring general manager
Michael Painter & Associates landscape architect
Collishaw Corporation general contractor
Text of third side of marker:
Mary B. Connolly
Children's Playground
A Gift of Love
MCMLXXVIII
Erected 1978.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 37° 46.091′ N, 122° 27.474′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Golden Gate Park. It can be reached from Kezar Drive north of Martin Luther King Jr Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94122, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers.
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Planning Golden Gate Park (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. The marker is on a 3-sided monument in Golden Gate Park, just a few steps away from the Carousel in the Children's Playground.
Photographed by Diane Phillips
2. The First Public Children's Playground in the United States Marker
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 14, 2010
3. The First Public Children's Playground in the United States Marker - 2nd side
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 14, 2010
4. The First Public Children's Playground in the United States Marker - 3rd side
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 14, 2010
5. The First Public Children's Playground in the United States Marker - wide view
In the background is the children's carousel. This is the third carousel located on the site. The first, driven by a steam engine, was installed in 1888. The current version (pictured in background), was built in 1914 in North Tonawanda, New York, and located in a number of places prior to its installation here.
Photographed by Isaiah West Taber, circa 1894?
6. Golden Gate Park - Children's Playground - postcard view looking west
Photographed by Unknown
7. "Children's Playground and Quarters in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, Cal," - postcard view
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 3,865 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 19, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2. submitted on August 19, 2020, by Diane Phillips of Pittsburg, California. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 19, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
