In a remarkable turn of events, a vacant lot in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco is being transformed into a vibrant space for children to play soccer.
This transformation is largely credited to a fourth grader named Brandon, who two years ago expressed to Scott Bravmann, a volunteer at Tenderloin Community Elementary, his desire for a soccer field in the lot at 600 Van Ness Ave.
At the time, the lot was filled with remnants of its past as a McDonald’s, which had been demolished to make way for future housing that never materialized.
Brandon envisioned a place where kids could enjoy recreational activities, complete with goal posts and a snack stall amidst a landscape littered with discarded needles and evidence of small fires.
The Tenderloin neighborhood holds the highest density of children in San Francisco but has long been lacking in open spaces for them to play.
Bravmann took Brandon’s hopes to heart and helped him initiate a petition for the soccer field, which he then circulated throughout the elementary school.
In a display of unity, more than 130 of Brandon’s classmates signed it, showing their support for the endeavor.
Now, after much anticipation, two soccer pitches are set to officially open this coming Monday at the intersection of Golden Gate and Van Ness avenues, providing a place for not only the students but also other families and residents from the Tenderloin to engage in recreational activities.
The opening comes at a crucial time for the Tenderloin, which recently lost one of its few outdoor recreational spaces — including a soccer pitch — during renovations at the Tenderloin Recreation Center that are expected to last until summer 2026.
“The kids live here, and they’re figuring out ways to be happy and find things that are helpful for them,” Bravmann stated, sitting at the edge of the lot last week, reflecting on the positive impact the soccer games will have in revitalizing the area.
For over a decade, Bravmann had witnessed the lot’s decline as he dealt with cleaning up debris from homeless encampments and extinguishing small fires.
Now, he believes that the implementation of soccer games will change the landscape of the space significantly.
Bravmann sought out the right partnerships to turn the soccer field idea into reality.
He approached the nonprofit Street Soccer USA through former Supervisor Dean Preston.
However, the nonprofit’s initial interest was contingent on securing a long-term commitment from the property owners, Golden Gate Van Ness LLC, who were then focused on an upcoming development project for the lot.
But the onset of the pandemic put those plans on hold, allowing for a renewed focus on the immediate community needs.
Earlier this year, as Street Soccer USA acquired fresh turf for a soccer field in SoMa, they faced a decision of either storing the old turf or finding a new place for it.
The lot at 600 Van Ness emerged as the ideal solution.
At the moment, Street Soccer USA is leasing the empty lot for a mere $1 a month, an agreement that paves the way for community usage of the property.
This weekend, volunteers will help install two soccer fields, each measuring 70 by 46 feet, complete with goal posts.
Additionally, storage containers will be placed adjacent to the fields to hold equipment such as nets, balls, and cones, as well as provide a shaded area where children can relax or enjoy a snack.
Keith Hsu Chernin, the Bay Area managing director of Street Soccer USA, noted the organization’s deepening connections with families and community partners over the years.
With the help of funds from the Tenderloin Community Action Plan, this project is seen as a realization of community aspirations.
Chernin remarked, “This project feels like an extension of that work and was responding to community hopes and dreams.”
Initially, the soccer fields will be designated for school use during recess and after-school programs, as well as community events organized by Street Soccer USA.
There is potential for expanded hours to allow greater access as a site manager is brought on board.
Recently, during an after-school event on Elm Alley, pediatrician Kara Wright, who had previously worked at the Tenderloin Community Elementary School, gained insight into the soccer pitches’ potential.
She and Bravmann laid out pieces of the turf for students to engage with.
As children finished school and found the turf, they instinctively began to lounge, relax, and roll around on the grass, embracing the new experience.
“It’s a space adults create for kids, but we can’t always anticipate how they’re going to use it,” Wright commented.
Soon enough, the kids transitioned from lounging to playing soccer, discovering a newfound source of joy and community engagement.
image source from：missionlocal
