Please see the link below for the concept design package that will be presented by staff to the Recreation and Park Department for approval. Staff will be presenting both Options V and W for consideration and approval. If you have questions or concerns please e-mail Project Manager, Alexis Ward, alexis.ward@sfgov.org.

Esprit Park Concept Design

Fencing Studies

All plans have:

• Picnic areas – 68% more tables and seating and more types of tables
• Benches and seat walls – 55% - 72% more seating, more views, sun exposure, adjacencies
• Expanded and improved exercise stations – 5 updated, attractive fitness areas
• Children’s nature exploration areas – added fun for kids
• Expanded and protected planted areas – more habitat, better conditions for plants
• Water fountains - with bottle fillers and dog basins
• Improved lighting – makes the park safer and more attractive at night

(U)  Dog-free/On-leash Plan

         Dog-free Meadow, Dogs on-leash in other areas

• Figure 8 Path 
• Meadow uses separated
• Dog-free Meadow (adjacent to group picnic area)
• Dogs on-leash in other areas

(V)  Hybrid Material Plan

         Dog-free Meadow, Off-leash Dog Play Area with synthetic turf all-weather area

• Figure 8 Path 
• Meadow uses separated
• Off-leash Dog Play Area, natural turf + synthetic turf
• Dog-free Meadow (adjacent to group picnic area)
• Dogs on-leash in other areas

(W)  Dog-free/Off-leash Plan

Dog-free Meadow, Off-leash Grass Dog Play Area

• Figure 8 Path 
• Meadow uses separated
• Off-leash Dog Play Area, all grass 
• Dog-free Meadow (adjacent to group picnic area)
• Dogs on-leash in other areas

(X) On-leash/Off-leash Plan

  Off-leash Grass Dog Play Area, dogs on-leash in other areas

• Figure 8 Path 
• Meadow uses separated
• Off-leash Dog Play Area, all grass
• Dogs on-leash in other areas (on-leash meadow adjacent to group picnic area)

(Y) Single Meadow

  Off-leash Grass Dog Play Area north, dogs on-leash in other areas

• O Path 
• Single, continuous meadow
• Off-leash Dog Play Area to the north, all grass
• Dogs on-leash in other areas (on-leash meadow adjacent to group picnic area)

(Z) Single Meadow Plan Flipped

  Off-leash Grass Dog Play Area south, dogs on-leash in other areas

• O Path 
• Single, continuous meadow
• Off-leash Dog Play Area to the south, all grass (adjacent to group picnic area)
• Dogs on-leash in other areas

Plan Comparison

How are the plans alike?

All the plans have the following goals and amenities in common:

1. Enjoying nature

• Keeps the park’s natural feel
• Increases habitat planting 
• Nurtures and replaces ailing trees

2. Sitting & Picnicking

• Increases picnic table and seating by 68% 
• Increases bench and seat wall seating capacity by 55% to 72% 
• Includes more options for seating location and adjacencies, sun or shade, and views

3. Strolling, walking & running

• Paths meander through bordering trees and plantings
• Better accommodations strolling, walking and running 
• Renovated paths will meet ADA requirements, look natural and require less maintenance 

4. Exercising & playing

• Exercise stations will be increased from 4 locations to 5
• New stations offer the same workout opportunities but are more in keeping with the park’s natural feel
• Stations will be meet current codes and will be usable by a broader range of age groups
• Four “nature exploration areas” made of natural materials will be placed around the park for children to discover and explore

How are the plans different?

There are three main differences between the plans: the configuration of the meadows and surrounding paths; how the meadows will be used; and lawn material options.

1. Two meadows or one?

• Two of the plans retain the single open meadow from the park’s original design; any separation of uses between the meadows would be encouraged by signage
• Four of the plans use planted berms and seat walls to gently create a double meadow to accommodate a wider variety of uses (the berms and seat walls would keep a low profile to preserve the views across the meadows)
• In the double meadow plans, the figure 8 path creates a varied circuit for walking or running in the park (four laps equal one mile)

B.    Accommodating dogs 

• Many park users asked that off-leash dog play be officially accommodated in the new designs
• There is an off-leash dog play area in 5 of the 6 plans 
• Dogs are allowed on-leash in other areas such as the paths and picnic areas

3. Lawn materials

• All plans include natural grass meadows 
• One plan offers a hybrid off-leash dog play area that includes both a natural grass area and a synthetic turf area, the other 5 plans show natural grass only
• Off-leash dog use creates extra wear and tear – urine burns, digging, run patterns, etc. – that can worsen in wet weather
• RPD best practices call for smaller off-leash dog play areas to include a resilient material, such as the newer type of synthetic turf (no crumb rubber) to ensure that the area can be open year-round and withstand a high intensity of use, by providing a 365-day a year dog play area, it discourages off-leash dog use in non-designated areas
• The use of any synthetic turf has been opposed by many neighbors for health, aesthetic and ecology reasons
• A natural grass off-leash dog play area will require extra maintenance and portions of the area will likely be fenced off and closed in a rotating pattern during the spring and fall with a full closure in winter