Willie "Woo Woo" Wong Playground Renovation

InterEthnica led the community engagement and input phase of the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department’s (SFRPD) renovation of the historic and highly popular Willie "Woo Woo" Wong Playground in Chinatown. InterEthnica developed a Public Participation Plan to engage diverse community members including playground users of all ages, community groups and leaders, local businesses, and SFRPD maintenance staff, with a focus on Chinese speakers to ensure cultural perspectives were balanced. Conducting 200 intercept interviews and meeting with over 160 people, InterEthnica surpassed attendance goals in workshops that were filled to standing room only and ensured community input was incorporated into design decisions. 

 

Following the playground renovation, InterEthnica conducted 900 intercept surveys and 50 in-depth interviews in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Taishanese as part of a bond user satisfaction study on behalf of the City's Controller's Office. Playground users shared they were highly satisfied with the renovation, specifically citing the cultural resonance of playground features.

 

Following the completion of the playground design, InterEthnica conducted a bond user satisfaction study on behalf of the City's Controller's Office where we conducted 900 intercept surveys and 50 in-depth interviews in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, or Taishanese. Park users shared they were highly satisfied with the updated park and specifically cited the cultural relevance of certain park features.

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The Willie "Woo Woo" Wong Playground Renovation Project has won numerous awards that recognize the extraordinary benefit the cultural resonant community engagement and public input gathered during the pre-design phase.

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Awards:
2022 Fast Company Innovation By Design Finalist—Urban Design 

2022 AIASF Design Award—Urban Design Commendation 

2022 AIA Awards—Regional & Urban Design

2021 Architect's Newspaper Best of Design—Social Impact Honorable Mention