SAFE PASSAGE PARK

Safe Passage Park (SPark) is the first major project underway as part of the TL Transforms initiative and builds on the positivity, collaboration, and success of the 2020 Tenderloin Play Streets series.

SPark is an 1800 square foot community space that runs along the southern sidewalk of the 200 block of Turk Street. This new space will provide much-needed access to outdoor play areas for local youth, a calm and relaxation space for residents, a space for physical activities, movement, arts, and health classes, and a pet relief area.

SPark History

SPark was built out in a phased approach, allowing the project team to gain valuable insights and feedback from residents and businesses, and then adjusting future building plans and programming possibilities as necessary. The project began with a round of resident and business owner surveys that netted over 300 responses, informing the early progression of the SPark concept. Youth and their families took part in design exercises at Play Streets events, offering up their expertise on their community to inform the project’s design and the activities that will happen in the space.

The first phase of the project, implemented by SFMTA, created space for walking and activities separated from the travel lanes by concrete k-rail traffic barriers. Residents and partners held a Community Build Day completing a mural along the k-rails, which will soon be supplemented with planters and added greenery.

The next phase for SPark added a parklet platform with ground murals running the full length of the space.  Later, vertical elements, seating, and plants added a unique natural landscape.

SPark programming, led by local organizations, began in late April 2021 followed by a celebratory launch event in July 2021.

Park Programming & Collaboration

Program activities include Tai-chi, Zumba, and boxing skills classes with neighboring Salvation Army Kroc Center. Also on the block, Cross Cultural Family Center offers quality after-school educational and art activities. Streets Team Enterprises provides a mobile activity cart with music, games, and resource linkage to critical social services on select days. Bicibilbioteca, a mobile bicycle free library, provides books for kids and adults to read. SF Rec & Park Children in Nature Program provides interactive nature elements. The space is kept clean and stewarded 7 days per week by TLCBD, Downtown Streets Team, and Urban Alchemy practitioners. Adjacent properties, Public Works and Recology also provide additional cleaning resources to the space.

Project Partnerships

SPark has been made possible through the support of Tenderloin residents of the 200/300 Turk Street Block Group, Chinatown Community Development Center, Cross Cultural Family Center, and Salvation Army Kroc Center and the partnership of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Covid Command Center, SFMTA, SF Fire, SFPD, Healthy Streets Operation Center, the D6 Supervisor’s Office, Human Rights Commission ParaTransit, Rec & Park, and DPW. SF OEWD has been a tremendous supporter and funder of this work, bringing in the Envelope / Studio O team to deliver transformative public space projects in collaboration with the Block Groups.

GET INVOLVED

Add your name and email below to be notified of SPark and TL Transforms project updates, upcoming volunteer build days, and other ways to get involved.

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