Remodeled Rochambeau in the works

By Peter Sciacca

More than five years after residents launched a campaign to upgrade Rochambeau Playground and its clubhouse, a construction crew will begin to reshape the site this month. In all, more than $1 million in renovations will be made to the 1920s-era facility.

"The clubhouse will be completely gutted," said Maria Morgan-Butcher, a member of Friends of Rochambeau, the group that spearheaded the renovation plan. "People with disabilities will have easy access into the building and its restrooms. Everything will meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance."

Other changes to the clubhouse include a new roof, siding, windows, storage space, plumbing and electrical system.

"The new storage space will replace the portable metal bin we have been using," Morgan-Butcher said. "This allows us to give the bin to another facility where it is needed."

One thing that won't change about the clubhouse is its decor.

"We worked very hard to make sure that remains intact," Morgan-Butcher said.

The interior's most prominent feature is its exposed, stained wooden beams that span from one side to the other. "It feels like being in a little mountain lodge," she said.

The clubhouse provides activities for Richmond residents of all ages. Many have frequented the clubhouse for classes, like pottery or cooking. Others go there to just get in a few games of ping pong or air hockey.

The clubhouse also runs a few different programs designed for specific age groups. One of them is "Tiny Tots," which provides arts and craft activities for younger children. The clubhouse's "Friday Night Fun" is a teen-oriented program held weekly that includes a dinner and various activities.

The playground's renovation will be extensive. City officials removed the original equipment, which Morgan-Butcher said was outdated and dangerous, in late March.

"There was a lot of splintered wood and wood that was treated with toxic chemicals, like arsenic, that are now banned," she said.

The height of the old play structures posed a greater risk of injury in the event of a fall than shorter, modern structures. Safety matting will take the place of sand for absorbing the impact of a fall. Morgan-Butcher said this material offers several advantages over sand.

"Safety matting reduces the amount of time spent on maintenance," she said. "With sand you need to sift through it to remove harmful objects, like glass or jagged metal. Now it can just be picked up."

The mats also eliminate the danger posed by stray sand slickening walkways and a nearby basketball court. As with the original Rochambeau playground, there will be two distinct play areas - one for two to six year olds and another for 7 to 12 year olds. The centerpiece of the younger children's area will be a play structure in the shape of a boat with several appendages. Older children will have a climbing arch that spans several smaller play areas below it.

"There will be many fun things to keep kids busy at the playground," Morgan-Butcher said. "Also, the new landscaping will remove the 'concrete jungle' feel of the old Rochambeau."

The areas surrounding the playground and clubhouse will be filled in with new plants, flowers and shrubs. "It will be lovely," Morgan-Butcher said.

As part of a city mandate that requires an art project accompany park renovations, an artist will be creating sculptures for the park with basketball, football and kickball themes.

"The football one will be particularly special because kids from our playground won the city flag football championship last year," Morgan-Butcher said.

Friends of Rochambeau's push to renovate the site, which is at 250 25th Ave., began in 1997. Members started by attending open space meetings and eventually the group got the attention of the San Francisco Neighborhood Parks Council.

"They offered us a lot of help and support," Morgan-Butcher said.

The group was also able to enlist the services of an architect for free.

"He gave us a great edge because it allowed us to show exactly what the park would look like when we were trying to convince city officials to approve the plan," Morgan-Butcher said.

The improvements are expected to take about 280 days to complete. Rochambeau is slated for reopening in late December or early January. For more information about Rochambeau Playground, call Morgan-Butcher at 474-0700, ext. 25.