2012 Parks Bond

Kids at the new Hayes Valley Playground

With 72% approval, voters enthusiastically supported the 2012 San Francisco Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond (2012 Bond) giving the department an additional $195 million to continue capital projects for the renewal and repair of our parks, recreation, and open space assets. The 2012 Bond includes funding for 15 neighborhood parks, long awaited investment in Golden Gate Park, McLaren, and Lake Merced, as well as renovations to the parks’ support infrastructure.

Specifically, the 2012 Bond proposal allocates:

  • $99 million for Neighborhood Parks, selected based on community feedback, their physical condition, the variety of amenities offered, seismic safety risk, and neighborhood density
  • $34.5 million for Waterfront Open Spaces
  • $15.5 million for Failing Playgrounds
  • $12 million for the Community Opportunity Fund
  • $21 million for Golden Gate Park, Lake Merced, and McLaren Park
  • $13 million for forestry, trails, and water conservation

Approved by 71.6 percent of San Francisco voters, the 2008 bond has helped to address the more than $1 billion in capital needs faced by the city's park system by implementing $195 million in park improvements project at sites all across the city. The 2012 Parks Bond will focus on renovating and improving parks to respond to our neighborhoods' and users' needs. The goal is to maintain and improve our parks and facilities so that we can continue to provide the highest quality of parks, recreational programming and services to the largest number of San Franciscans possible. Below is the list of projects, contained in the Bond; please note that not all projects will begin planning this year, as the Bond projects are rolled out in three separate phases.

PROJECTS & PROGRAMS

NEIGHBORHOOD PARK SITES:

CITYWIDE PROGRAMS:

  • Playground Safety: Improve, renovate, replace playgrounds that are dilapidated
  • Citywide Parks: Enhance natural features of Golden Gate Park, John McLaren Park, and Lake Merced
  • Community Opportunity Fund: Continue to provide funds for small community-nominated projects as well as to leverage for matching funds for larger projects
  • Water Conservation: Replace old and outdated irrigation equipment with new permeable features and water efficient systems
  • Trail Restoration: To enhance existing trails and their surrounding landscape
  • Forestry: Address hazardous trees to protect life and property, and replant trees for a safer and healthier urban forest

WATERFRONT PARKS:

  • Pier 43 New public plaza adjacent to Pier 43 Trail Promenade
  • Northeast Wharf Plaza Construct new 2.7 acre park withlarge lawn and view areas
  • Agua Vista Park Renovated and connected shoreline access with walking, biking, and view areas
  • Pier 70 Parks Shoreline restoration, environmental remediation, landscaping, and new public access
  • Warm Water Cove Renovate and expand park, with improvements to park access and amenities
  • Islais Creek Improvements Construct new public access with walkway and scenic lookouts