To hear the story behind Hilltop Park, we sat down with Maya Rodgers – a San Francisco native, long-time community activist, and one of our very own project managers. Read our interview below to learn more about how Maya and her community transformed a neglected park into a thriving space defined by community pride and cohesion.
“When we started this work, Hilltop Park was a forgotten space. The play structures had been entirely removed. The hillside was overgrown and the line of sight from the street was nonexistent. The skateboarding area was outdated, and the park was pretty much empty.
The space was dangerous and we clearly needed more eyes on the park. In response, we created Parks 94124 in 2010. We began fundraising efforts and in 2011, we began working with the SF Recreation & Park Department and the Trust for Public Land.
During the construction phase, we met weekly with partners to identify the elements of the park that required more extensive community engagement and support. Throughout the project, SF Parks Alliance was a great resource. They were also a continued, sustainable source of support once the project was complete.”
“When we started this work, Hilltop Park was a forgotten space…We’ve since created a park that the community is proud of and feels deeply connected to.”
“In 2016, the park formally reopened. Since then, the project has significantly increased the use of Hilltop Park – making it a safer, more desirable space for community members to spend time.
Throughout the design process, neighbors gave input on choices around the look and feel of the park. It’s given them a real sense of collective and personal ownership over the space. In turn, we’ve created a park that the community is proud of and feels deeply connected to.”
Today, the Bayview Parks Collaborative is the best way for individuals to get involved with Hilltop Park, as well as with other parks around Bayview Hunters Point. The group meets quarterly, sharing important information and updates.
For folks interested in spearheading a project in their own community, make sure that you have a clear vision. Don’t be discouraged by the time or amount of money required. Involve your neighbors in the plan early, and make sure that they have a voice throughout the entirety of the process.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to take a step back and ask for help on parts of the project that you can’t tackle alone.”