It features a newly renovated indoor pool, courtyard, clubhouse and art installation.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced the completion of the Garfield Square Recreation Center back on March 15. It took 2.5 years and $19.7 million dollars to transform this public space in the Mission District, which now serves the community in myriad ways. And as of July 13, the pool space is finally open! Drop-in swim times are also back. Check out the swim schedule here.
The 3,550 square foot clubhouse and pool building accommodates children, families and lap swimmers. A movable divider allows parts of the indoor pool to be allocated for different purposes throughout the day. The Center also has newly renovated showers and locker rooms, a playroom, and a kitchen. Plus, there are new basketball courts and a splashpad outside for community residents to enjoy.
Community Hub in the clubhouse. [Image: Screenshot from video via @sfrecpark on Instagram]
A brand new Community Hub has opened in the clubhouse to host the Requity program, which aids residents with distance learning and provides healthy food and fun activities.
“The past year has shown us just how important public spaces are for our residents,” said Mayor Breed. “Throughout COVID-19, we’ve continued to invest in infrastructure, community spaces, and our parks, because we know these projects are going to be critical to our recovery as a city. San Franciscans now have a wonderful new recreation and community center, a state of the art pool, and a space that can serve our children throughout the year. I can’t wait to see our children, their families, and all of our residents fully using this new space as we emerge from this pandemic.”
Outdoor splash pad. [Image: Screenshot from video via @sfrecpark on Instagram]
In addition to new landscaping, the Center dedicated 2% of its budget to public art installations. This went toward a 113-foot glass mural spanning the length of the pool, created by artist Favianna Rodriguez. “My goal was to invoke colorful landscapes that celebrate the regions from which many of the Latinx immigrants in the Mission come from,” said Rodriguez, herself a daughter of an immigrant family.
The building’s exterior mural from 1980, featuring a vibrant ocean scene, was restored by artist Yano Rivera of Precita Eyes Muralists as part of the project.
The brand-new Garfield Center. [Image: Screenshot from video via @sfrecpark on Instagram]
This project was carried out by San Francisco Public Works Landscape Architecture and TEF Design/Taggart architects Joint Venture, as well as the Art Commission, Capital Planning, and the Department of Public Health, Planning and Environment. It was managed by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and funded through the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, as well as Interagency Plan Implementation Committee Eastern Neighborhood Impact Fees. The project provided over 250 construction jobs.
The Mission neighborhood has had access to the Center’s athletic fields, lawn and play area throughout the construction process, but this state-of-the-art community center will truly give the neighborhood a special new experience.
You can visit the Garfield Center at 3100 26th Street in San Francisco.
[Featured Image: @sfrecpark on Instagram]