San Francisco: Willie "Woo Woo" Wong Playground
The Willie Woo Playground in one of San Francisco's most culturally celebrated neighborhoods has undergone a $14.5 million renovation, funded in part through the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond and the Downtown Park Fund. The reimagined half-acre park features custom designed play equipment inspired by Chinese mythology, including a huge, climbable water dragon sculpture which wraps itself around a two-level tower and slide, and a fiery phoenix sculpture bridging the separate zones for tots and school age children. Bridges and pathways provide a cohesive design, and renovated sport courts provide ample space for basketball, badminton, volleyball and pickleball players. Additionally, a new plaza contains fitness equipment and resilient surfacing that opens to the newly improved Hang Ah Alley.
A mural by San Francisco artist Julie Chang, entitled “Maiden’s Dress,” stretches across an interior wall of the clubhouse, inspired by both classic Chinese iconography and San Francisco Chinatown’s rich cultural heritage.
The playground opened in 1927 as Chinese Playground. In 2006, it was renamed to honor Willie Wong, a Chinese American basketball star who played at the University of San Francisco from 1948-50 and earned his nickname due to crowds shouting “Woo! Woo!” every time he scored.
