The Randall Museum’s

Natural Exploration Area is Open

San Francisco’s Randall Museum has expanded with an outdoor play space featuring features a woven den, carved logs, and a rope swing

This article was first published by the San Francisco Chronicle
June 21, 2026

By Brooke Park, Staff Writer

Children play in the new Nature Exploration Area at the Randall Museum in San Francisco, an addition with climbing and balancing structures, a woven den, carved logs and a rope swing. Randall Museum

San Francisco’s Randall Museum premiered a outdoor play space Saturday where children can scramble across log balance beams, hop across tree stumps and glide on a rope swing.

The Nature Exploration Area features climbing and balancing structures, a woven den and carved logs — using repurposed logs and stumps from the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.

“When kids have the freedom to climb, explore, and let their imaginations lead the way, they build confidence and develop a lasting appreciation for the world around them,” Sarah Madland, the city’s recreation and park general manager, said in a statement.

The science, nature and arts center, where visitors can peek at a weasel and a raccoon up close, attracts more than 100,000 people each year, Randall Museum director Marcus Wojtkowiak said. The Corona Heights museum also has a woodworking studio, natural sciences lab, art and ceramics studios, among other exhibits.

Randall Museum Friends worked with the community to raise more than $38,000 for the project, while the city contributed more than $3,700.

“Most of our visitors are children, in school groups, afterschool classes or visiting with family. This new Nature Exploration Area is a fantastic new addition that will be heavily used,” Wojtkowiak said.

Brooke Park is a Hearst Fellow covering news for the San Francisco Chronicle. She spent the first year of her fellowship at San Antonio Express-News. She can be reached at Brooke.Park@hearst.com.