San Francisco Recreation and Parks has officially debuted its latest project in Russian Hill. Francisco Park covers 4.5 acres, making it the city’s largest public park in its “urban core” since 1983.
The park’s position between Francisco, Larkin, Bay, and Hyde streets means visitors can enjoy epic views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Palace of Fine Arts. It also has a sprawling central lawn, a fenced-in dog run, a children’s playground and nature exploration area, accessible pathways, a community garden, and a sustainable rainwater catchment system.
Francisco Park is located on the site of the former Francisco Reservoir, which was constructed in 1859 in response to the city’s Gold Rush population boom. It supplied water to residents until the neighboring Lombard Reservoir was constructed in 1940, and the land has been inaccessible to the public ever since.
The new park is a result of a partnership between SF Rec & Parks and the Francisco Park Conservancy nonprofit, plus a whopping $27.5M raised by neighborhood residents.
Mayor London Breed celebrated the park’s opening alongside Supervisor Catherine Stefani, Rec & Parks General Manager Phil Ginsburg, and the Francisco Park Conservatory on Wednesday.
“I am so excited to celebrate 4.5-acres of new open space in one of the densest areas of our city,” said Mayor Breed. “[Francisco Park] offers a new opportunity for people to get outside and enjoy everything San Francisco has to offer.”
Featured image: @sfrecpark via Instagram