Seward Street Slides
The Verdict
"Two long concrete slides built into a steep hillside in 1973, designed by 14-year-old Kim Clark, who won a design competition organized by sculptor Ruth Asawa. The park opened after a decade of neighborhood resistance, including a 1966 sit-in. Grab cardboard from the pile at the bottom. Free, Tuesday through Sunday 10am to 5pm at 70 Corwin Street."
What you need to know
The Seward Street Slides are two long concrete slides built into a steep hillside in Seward Mini Park, a small public park on the border of the Castro and Noe Valley. The park opened in 1973 after a decade of neighborhood resistance to development on the lot, including a 1966 sit-in. The slides were designed by 14-year-old Kim Clark, who won a design competition organized by sculptor Ruth Asawa. Clark drew inspiration from a slide at Playland at the Beach.
What to Expect
Riders sit on a piece of flattened cardboard (a pile is usually left at the bottom of the slides) and ride down. The slides are concrete, steep, and fast. The bottom run-out is short. Without cardboard, the concrete is too rough to slide on. Clothing picks up concrete dust.
The rest of the park has a small playground, a basketball half-court, and a community garden. The upper edge of the park has views over the Castro rooftops toward downtown.
Visiting
Address: Seward Mini Park, 70 Corwin Street, Castro / Eureka Valley
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Closed Mondays. The slides close in wet weather.
Cost: Free
Best time: Weekday afternoons.
Accessibility: The slides are reached only by a steep staircase. There is no step-free route.
Getting There
From the Castro Muni Metro station (K, L, M, T lines), the walk is about 10 minutes uphill via Castro and 19th to Corwin. The 33 Ashbury/18th bus stops at 18th and Castro. Street parking in the surrounding blocks is limited.