The Golden Gate Greenway, envisioned as a vibrant, car-lite community space, faces numerous challenges even three years after its inception.
Located on a single block of Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, a neighborhood known for its density and lack of green spaces, the Greenway was designed to provide relief and a communal area for the local population.
With hopes of creating shaded benches and parklets for residents, office workers, and families from nearby schools, the project aimed to invigorate an area often overlooked in terms of public space.
However, the reality remains far removed from initial promises.
Although the Greenway is technically closed to traffic from 6 a.m to 6 p.m. daily, significant funds amounting to over $2 million have yet to be allocated effectively.
Without trees or seating, the space has become little more than an empty stretch of road and a truck loading zone, failing to live up to its potential as a community hub.
Larry Kwan, CEO of St. Anthony’s, the nonprofit leading the project, acknowledges the difficulties, stating, “This work requires experimentation.”
Kwan emphasizes the necessity of being present in the neighborhood and adapting to see what initiatives resonate with the community.
Despite a plethora of challenges, the Tenderloin residents remain hopeful for any progress on the Greenway.
Nils Behnke, former CEO of St. Anthony’s and a witness to the project’s early developments, describes the struggle as “death by a thousand cuts.”
He cites slow-moving permits and funds, lengthy community meetings, and challenges posed by the Tenderloin’s built environment as hurdles to success.
This journey commenced during the pandemic in 2020 when the block was temporarily closed off for St. Anthony’s and other organizations to provide essential services like food distribution and COVID-19 testing.
In late 2021, former Mayor London Breed declared a state of emergency in the Tenderloin and directed $3.5 million to neighborhood programs, including an allocation of $200,000 for the Greenway’s parklets.
Despite these investments, promised new trees never materialized as the Bureau of Urban Forestry reported that the area lacks the capacity to dig new tree wells, commonly restricted by basements extending under the sidewalks.
As an alternate solution, the city proposed above-ground planters for tree installation.
Progress remained stymied as the fire department stalled the initial parklet plans, citing concerns over street clearance for emergency vehicles, further complicating the situation.
By 2024, the coalition of nonprofits led by St. Anthony’s managed to launch a pilot project featuring a single parklet adorned with bench seating and surrounded by plants at the intersection of Golden Gate Avenue and Jones Street.
However, this parklet quickly became a source of concern, filled with individuals openly using drugs and blocking walkways, which ultimately led to community backlash.
Geoffrey McFarland, Senior Community Engagement Manager for St. Anthony’s, noted that the situation became unmanageable at night, prompting community re-evaluation of parklets with permanent seating.
Residents voiced their frustrations, with reports of people hiding drugs and paraphernalia underneath the wooden benches.
After continuous issues with gatherings and safety concerns, the city consequently surrounded the parklet with gates in April, blocking access and designating it a failure.
What remains today near 111 Jones St. is a gate erected by the city to deter loitering.
Observations by Richard Rose, one of St. Anthony’s security and outreach workers, illustrate the difficulty of maintaining safety in the area; interactions with individuals known for drug use have become a routine necessity for safety.
Looking forward, the focus has shifted away from traffic limitations on the Greenway while environmental reviews are completed, a process projected to extend into 2026.
As plans await approval, substantial funds promised from the San Francisco County Transportation Authority and a federal grant for street safety remain unspent.
In the interim, McFarland states that smaller-scale initiatives will be explored, such as a mural, tree planters, and lighting, which could activate the area pending infrastructure development.
St. Anthony’s also hopes to allocate $90,000 from unused parklet funds to secure movable tables and chairs that can be set out during the day and removed at night.
This would allow for community events, like the monthly Read, Ride, Explore event for children and the annual Eid Street Fair, while reverting the space to a typical street setting during evening hours.
Supervisor Bilal Mahmood is also seeking to engage local businesses with pop-up markets on the Greenway to foster community spirit and improve neighborhood perceptions.
This summer, Hometown Creamery is scheduled to host a temporary ice-cream truck on the block, adding to the local charm.
A proposed mural painted on the asphalt aims to differentiate the area visually as a safe gathering space.
Yet, even that initiative has encountered bureaucratic challenges; Mahmood’s office is working to establish a new permitting process for the mural amidst the complexities of municipal regulations.
Although the street’s classification as a mixed-use corridor complicates matters, Mahmood remains determined to beautify the area and encourage further activation efforts to ensure the street closure persists.
With aspirations for the mural’s completion by October, McFarland noted that studies suggest asphalt art can also contribute to slowing traffic, enhancing safety and enjoyment of the area.
Reflecting on the various struggles, Behnke, formerly of St. Anthony’s, noted the need for community-focused open spaces in the Tenderloin.
Despite initial setbacks, Behnke believes it is essential to persist in these initiatives instead of abandoning the vision entirely.
The Golden Gate Greenway’s journey illustrates not only the challenges faced but also the tenacity of community advocates striving to cultivate a vibrant communal space in a historically underserved neighborhood.
image source from：missionlocal
