Get A Sneak Peak Of Golden Gate Park Playground

SAN FRANCISCO, Jun. 27, 2007 (KGO) (KGO) -- What's believed to be the first playground in the country is getting a multi-million dollar makeover. The children's playground in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park has been closed for more than a year, but will re-open in July with a whole new look.

The children's playground in golden gate park opened in 1887. It's said to be the nation's first public playground. Fun and frivolity may not have been only reasons it was built.

Rose Dennis, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department: "some of the lead chronicle articles at the time said we need to get the boys and girls off the streets so they stop chasing dogs and cats."

Since then our thinking and the playground have both evolved. Now there's a new project underway. Two and a half acres are being transformed into a space that's designed to mimic San Francisco.

From the hills -- in this case the concrete slides, to the ocean. This wave wall built for climbing.

Yomi Agunbiade, Director of Recreation and Park Department: "Thinking about upper body strength and ability to move around and have cardiovascular activities as well."

The last time the children's playground was renovated was in 1977 for$397,000 dollars. My how times have changed. Fast forward 30 years, this is a $3.8 million dollar facelift.

Susan Wolfe, Koret Foundation: "We left the design to the experts. we just wrote the check. "

The Koret Foundation gave $1.8 million dollars. the rest came from the state -- the money pays for.

Rick Thall, Project Manager: "Elements you're not going to see. They're very unique, unique only to this playground."

These tiles, covered in sand, will become an archeological dig. This will turn into a sea cave once the water is turned on.

Zoe Cross can't wait.

Zoe Cross: "It looks really fun."

Vandals have already tagged the play structures with graffiti, it's been cleaned and now police are on constant patrol.

The old historic playground that generations of kids have enjoyed, gets a new life and a grand opening Saturday July 14th.

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