On the northern slope of Russian Hill, a new public park has been carved out.  The views from up there are pretty sensational and pretty panoramic.

Image via @franciscoparksf

The construction of Francisco Park began in the summer of 2019 and it’s opening today (4/27/22). After extensive community outreach, The Francisco Park Conservancy (FPC)  arrived on a conceptual design that incorporated native plants and trees, as well as an ADA-accessible pathway linking features including a central green lawn, children’s playground, fenced dog-run, community garden, and view terraces.

The site was an abandoned reservoir, built back in 1859 to accommodate an incredibly fast-growing city following the gold rush. Less than a hundred years later in 1940, that reservoir was made obsolete and replaced by a “new” Lombard Reservoir, one full city block just up the hill. (The Lombard Reservoir today is covered by tennis courts and the small Sterling Park.)

Before and After Francisco Park Construction. Image via @franciscoparksf

According to the park’s community organizers, “the rainwater catchment system has been installed, the convenience/maintenance building is complete, utilities and underground work are completed, retaining walls are in place, grading is finished, and ADA-accessible walkways and railings are installed. In the coming month, we will see the plantings grow, the donor wall installed, and soon the park fences will come down! The park will open April 27, 2022.”

There’s even a chrome heart sculpture, created by local artist Laura Lineback as part of the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Foundation series and donated to Francisco Park by Helen Hilton Raiser.

The The Francisco Park Conservancy raised some $22 Million in donations to help make this new park happen!

San Francisco’s Newest Park is opening today, with a ribbon-cutting by the Mayor Breed at 11 am (4/27/22).  Francisco Park is located on the North side of Russian Hill at Hyde St and Bay St!

Community Day with bubbles and Hawaiian music is on Saturday, April 30 at 10am.

Francisco Park Website here.