Ocean and San Jose Avenue
Mission Terrace/Outer Mission
Balboa Park became part of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department in 1908. In the 1950s a swimming pool and baseball fields were added. Then in 1953 a 3,000 person soccer stadium was included in the park. The 1970s brought a tot park, and then age and neglect brought about the need for a complete overhaul.
The playground was completely rebuilt by the neighbors, along with tennis courts in 2008, as of 2016, the city is still trying to find the budget to upgrade the swimming facilities, but the park itself is welcoming and well used.
The soccer stadium, Boxer Stadium, is the only public soccer-specific stadium in San Francisco. It is the primary home of the century old San Francisco Soccer Football League, and is also the home stadium of PRO Rugby team San Francisco Rush.
The playground area is surrounded by an art fence by local artists and husband and wife team, Krista Kamman Lowe and Matt Lowe.
Krista has a BA in Industrial Design from College of the Arts in Oakland, Matt has a BA in Architecture from Kansas State University. They live with their two children in San Francisco.
If you have the pleasure of venturing out, there are wonderful picnic tables and chairs amongst the playground. There is also, Roxie Food Center, a fabulous local deli, on the corner where you can grab a sandwich.