Art can be seen in unexpected places in the Sunset District - The Public Bench Project in Inner Sunset and Utility Box Art on Ocean Avenue are community inspired projects bringing art to small, everyday objects we see on the street. With support from then Supervisor London Breed, The Public Bench Project had deployed over [...]
After a decade of planning, Fern Alley has been transformed into a community space through the removal of parking spaces, widened sidewalks, new pedestrian lighting and colorful street and sidewalk markings. Public Works worked closely with Lower Polk Neighbors to redesign the alley to foster community gatherings and improve safety with new lighting, widened sidewalks, [...]
Over 10 years, Excelsior residents partnered with the San Francisco Parks Alliance and the Department of Public Works through the "Street Parks" program to transform underutilized Public Works land into a neighborhood amenity. Once a barren public-right-of-way, residents were integral to creating Athens Avalon Green Space - from designing the new landscaped terrace to providing [...]
Madrone Art Bar privately funded a street mural at Fell St. and Divisadero St., partnering with SFMTA to transform one parking spot into 12 bicycle parking spaces and a platform for Bay Area artist Kristin Farr's “Diamonds on Divis”, a bright, geometric mural on an unexpected surface. Learn more about how to get a standard, [...]
As urban dwellers, City residents may not have enormous backyards and front lawns to create large, lush gardens. However, Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF) helps home-owners and neighborhood groups get trees planted on modest sidewalk plots throughout the City, transforming your front steps into an urban oasis. Contact FUF for free trees and technical [...]
When you don’t want to get fit in a gym, there are so many options to get active with your neighbors outdoors in nearby parks and public spaces. If you want to join an existing class, check out Zumba in the Parks schedules or Meet-Ups for specific exercise classes and fitness levels. If you want [...]
Industrious residents have sprouted Little Free Lending Libraries throughout the City, creatively constructed miniature libraries on the streets to encourage readers to lend books to their neighbors. And some Little Free Lending Libraries transformed into mini-markets of household staples during sheltering-in-place, inspiring residents to donate essential items to their fellow San Franciscans in need. Find [...]
Have you spotted teddy bears in windows along your morning walk? Or noticed tins hanging in trees or rainbows on your sidewalks? Following social distancing practices doesn't mean you can’t foster interactive games and sharing with your neighbors in times of need (especially when you’ve run out of yeast!). If you’re tech savvy, spread your [...]
Many residents feeling isolated during sheltering-in-place throughout the Bay Area have found ways to remind their neighbors we’re all in it together. Sidewalk messages of encouragement and colorful art can be appreciated by the whole community along everyone’s daily walks; and residents and businesses have used post-it notes on windows and walls to give neighborhood [...]
As an essential service to the community, farmers markets have remained open throughout sheltering-in-place, and have learned quickly how best to serve their customers, while keeping everyone in their outdoor markets safe in accordance with essential business guidelines. Farmers are prepacking “Bounty Boxes” to their customers, spreading vendors and tents further apart, setting up handwashing [...]
