SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In a significant victory for the South of Market community, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the purchase of a 9,625 square foot property at 240 6th Street. The property sits next to the Gene Friend Recreation Center, which is currently being expanded and rebuilt.
The $7.1 million acquisition and environmental remediation of the property, funded through the Open Space Acquisition Fund, will transform the site into a new park, offering much-needed green space to a historically underserved neighborhood.
The land, currently housing an auto shop, will augment the outdoor area of the new Gene Friend Recreation Center, which is undergoing a $59 million renovation. The additional outdoor space will provide more opportunities for recreation and relaxation in the dense, urban neighborhood.
“Securing this property for public use is a tremendous win for SoMa residents,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “This is an investment in vibrant outdoor spaces and something that will have a lasting impact on the community’s health and wellbeing.”
Following the mayor’s approval, the property will be remediated to ensure safety for future park users. Rec and Park plans to begin public outreach to design the park following the reopening of the Gene Friend Recreation Center in fall of 2026.
The acquisition is part of a broader strategy to bring healthy outdoor spaces to SoMa, a neighborhood identified as an Environmental Justice Community. The new park will provide vital outdoor access to children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
“SoMa is the neighborhood with the least amount of open space and a super dense population. Any and every inch of public open space we can add to our community has a benefit that's exponentially more valuable compared to other neighborhoods. We are so excited for this renovation project and for the future of open space in SoMa,” said Misha Olivas, director of community and family engagement for United Playaz, a violence prevention and leadership development organization in the neighborhood.
The voter-approved Open Space Acquisition Fund is a resource dedicated to creating and preserving green spaces across the City. In the past decade, Rec and Park has opened new parks across San Francisco. Among them are In Chan Kaajal in the Mission District, Noe Valley Town Square, Guy Place Mini Park in SoMa, and Francisco Park. Brand new parks currently under construction include India Basin Waterfront Park in the Bayview and Rachele Sullivan Park in SoMa.