Cole Valley is a quiet neighborhood in SF known for its charming houses, good food, and close proximity to Golden Gate Park. Recently, the neighborhood has been buzzing with markets, busy restaurants, and new wine bars. Now, to add to the neighborhood’s appeal, a local nonprofit is creating pop-up “town squares,” turning local streets into gardens with sitting areas for the public to enjoy. The project intends to turn streets or vacant lots into community gathering spaces ( much like a classic town square) with amenities like seating, music, plants, and more. The spaces accompany the Cole Valley Street Market, which features local creatives, merchants, and food.
“It’s not every day you get to turn a street into a garden, but that’s exactly what we’re doing with the Pop-Up Town Squares,” said Manny Yekutiel, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Civic Joy Fund. “These are normally just parking lots or roads, but for a moment, they’ll become gathering spaces for the community. Places to sit, laugh, and meet your neighbors, all while feeling more connected to your city. It’s a celebration of what’s possible when we rethink public space, and it’s really fun.”
The next town square is on June 12, from 4 to 9 pm, coinciding with the neighborhood’s evening market. In the past, the event has featured 500 plants to create the town square, creating a small oasis in the middle of the street. The pop-up is on Cole and Carl Streets, and you can find the street market on Cole Street between Carl and Parnassus Avenue. The area has also recently become one of the city’s entertainment zones, allowing for local businesses in the designated area to sell to-go beverages during events. Some of the businesses in the corridor include Ino Vino, Woods, Cole Valley Tavern, and more.
The program is run by the Civic Joy Fund and is the debut event for the Green Street Fund, an initiative that is designed to help SF neighborhoods launch pilot programs. The Civic Joy Fund expects to have more pop-ups coming to different neighborhoods soon as the program continues. The nonprofit is involved with various community events in SF, including Downtown First Thursdays, Summer of Music, and more.