Location : San Francisco, CA
Manufacturer : Berliner, Burke, mmcitê
Designer: SPEC Play
Supplier: SPEC Play
Client : SF Port
Landscape Architect: Merrill Morris
Drone Photos: ©Aerial Dreamscapes
Photos: ©SPEC Play

Crane Cove Park

Crane Cove Park once a former shipbuilding site, is now one of San Francisco’s most celebrated waterfront destinations, and the addition of thoughtfully designed play spaces brings more opportunities for families to explore, play, and connect. SPEC Play is proud to have collaborated with the Port of San Francisco, landscape architect Merrill Morris, and our valued partners to bring these dynamic play spaces to life.

Designed in response to community requests for more inclusive and engaging play options, the new play areas serve children ages 2-5 and 5-12, offering age-appropriate challenges in a setting inspired by the site’s maritime history.

 The playground for ages 5-12, known as Rigger’s Yard, features a Berliner DNA three-dimensional climbing net that encourages adventurous risky play, balance, and social play at every height. The Berliner swing adds a place to engage in vestibular play with multiple peers, while the Burke Inclusive Orbit Spinner brings dynamic motion and excitement to the space.

 For younger children, the 2-5 Tot Lot offers a welcoming space with Berliner play structures designed specifically for early development. The area provides opportunities for swinging, climbing, imaginative play, and sliding in a scaled, approachable setting.

 Radium seating elements from mmcité are thoughtfully placed within the playground, offering comfortable spaces to gather while staying connected to the play experience.

 The playgrounds fit naturally into the park’s waterfront setting, alongside bay access, a sandy beach, and open lawns. At 18th and Illinois Streets, Crane Cove Park stands as a strong example of how former industrial land can be transformed into a vibrant, community-centered destination.