Kapwa Gardens, a vibrant community space in the SOMA Pilipinas Cultural District, is coming to an end after a successful run since its opening in 2021. Built on a former parking lot, the colorful outdoor area filled with planters and artificial turf provided a safe gathering space during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the years, Kapwa Gardens hosted over 264 public events, ranging from yoga sessions to concerts, serving as a vital community hub. However, this temporary activation was always intended to pave the way for future development, and the site is now slated to be transformed into affordable senior rental housing.
The final event at Kapwa Gardens, the popular ube festival Yum Yams, will take place on Saturday, July 26. This farewell celebration will feature an array of DJ sets, including performances by Jon Reyes, ETIV, and Trixamillion, alongside a diverse lineup of vendors such as Katha Collection, Hatzumomo, Arkipelago Books, Batok ni Kabuay, Made by Meech, Wyldflower, and Common Thread Activation.
Desi Danganan, whose nonprofit Kultivate Labs was behind the design and programming of the gardens, emphasizes the meaningful connections that formed among the 350 volunteers involved in the project. “People were so desperate for connection that our volunteer network became like a social network,” Danganan says, recalling how volunteers mingled and even made personal connections during build days.
As the project wraps up, Danganan notes that the effort won’t be in vain, as most equipment and materials from Kapwa Gardens will be donated to Urban Alchemy’s upcoming Oasis Park, situated at Sixth and Jessie Streets. This new park will be inspired by Urban Alchemy’s existing park at Turk and Hyde.
One notable item that still seeks a new home is the 40-foot mural-covered bus that served as an office and sound booth, renovated with an investment of $30,000. Danganan expresses a strong desire to find a suitable place for the solar-powered bus, emphasizing that it should not end up in a landfill.
Kultivate Labs has experienced challenges recently, including a pause on their Balay Kreative program, which provided studio space and grants to Filipino American artists. Their planned marketplace and gallery, Republika, intended to replace Balay, has also faced delays due to rising costs from tariffs.
However, there is a silver lining: Kultivate was recently honored with a $100,000 grant from the San Francisco Arts Commission. This funding will allow them to revive the Balay program, although they will need to find a new location.
Looking ahead, plans are already underway for Kapwa Gardens 2.0, set to take root in an empty lot at Fourth and Folsom. Initially earmarked for a housing project, the site proved impractical for construction above the Central Subway line, leading to the decision to repurpose it for the new iteration of Kapwa Gardens.
With a small grant from the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Kultivate Labs is working to develop their plans for the next phase of the gardens. Danganan reflects on the journey of Kapwa Gardens and the lessons learned over the past five years, expressing excitement for the future.
The transfer of equipment to the sixth street project aligns perfectly with the core mission of Kapwa Gardens, to create a healing space while fostering community interconnectedness. As they prepare for the final gathering of Yum Yams 2025, Danganan is optimistic about the new beginnings and the sustainable future of community-driven spaces in San Francisco.
Yum Yams 2025: A Final Community Gathering Celebrating 5 Years of Kapwa Gardens will be held at Kapwa Gardens (967 Mission St., San Francisco) on Saturday, July 26, from 12 PM to 5 PM. The event is free to attend.
image source from：kqed
