We sat down with Kath Tsakalakis from Friends of Lakeside Village as part of our Faces and Places series that highlights the amazing people behind some of SF’s most loved spaces. Read on to learn how they transformed an underutilized parking lot into Lakeside Landing, a vibrant space for community events!
“Lakeside Landing was inspired by temporary popup parks created in cities around the world! The goal is to bring families to spend more time in Lakeside Village thereby supporting existing businesses and bringing new concepts to the empty buildings.
Our community started a neighborhood watch group in 2009 and our District 7 Supervisor and team brought the idea of Lakeside Landing to one of our meetings. The community was excited about the opportunity to revitalize our commercial corridor on Ocean Ave. between Junipero Serra Blvd. and 19th Ave.
After years of operating as an informal neighborhood group, we were initially reluctant to formalize with a fiscal sponsor. But this was a requirement to implement a startup grant for Lakeside Landing, so we started working with SF Parks Alliance.
Since then, Parks Alliance has helped us with everything from our online fundraising webpage to day-to-day accounting to keeping us informed about and helping us apply for new grant opportunities.
Lakeside Landing kicked off towards the end of 2019 and the project accelerated during COVID. We brought in tables and chairs for people to dine safely outside. We created a play space from recycled items from other city projects. This was a way to bring life to the neighborhood and support the local businesses.”
The goal is to bring families to spend more time in Lakeside Village thereby supporting existing businesses and bringing new concepts to the empty buildings.
“In 2021, we founded a new Business Council to work more closely with business owners and promote Lakeside Village, and in 2022, we installed sidewalk lights, and planted new trees in the commercial corridor.
In 2023, we added a stage that doubles as a play structure; we expanded our edible garden so that any member of the community can learn how to grow food; and after 2-years of watering the new landscaping with a hose, we installed drip irrigation that is better for the environment as well as volunteers!
We’re now focused on maintaining the project and organizing events that are free to all. We are very grateful to SFMTA and the many city agencies who have participated in this project.
To get started on your own project, a great approach is to start small, and work with as many people in your community as possible to expand the impact. Whether people make donations or volunteer their time, it’s important to recognize everyone’s contributions.
We welcome and appreciate new volunteers! We have a program of innovative events every month. To join our monthly newsletter list, email lakeside@mainfare.com.”