FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Oct. 21, 2013 

Contact: Rachel Gordon 415-554-6045

WORK STARTS ON NEW SOMA WEST SKATE AND DOG PARK 

Improvement project expected to make the neighborhood safer and more livable and beautiful

San Francisco, CA – Construction began today on the new SoMa West Skate and Dog Park, a project that will transform a gritty paved parking lot into a more active and attractive public space to help revitalize the neighborhood.

The new park will be built under and next to the elevated Central Freeway near Valencia and Otis streets. The project is the result of a community-driven effort created collaboratively with the Department of Public Works, Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the Recreation and Park Department, the Real Estate Division and the Arts Commission.

“The SoMa West Dog and Skate Park exemplifies our vision of partnering with neighborhood groups to enhance and enliven public space in San Francisco,” said San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammad Nuru.

Construction on the $3.3 million SoMa West Skate and Dog Park is scheduled to be completed in May 2014.

The dog park will feature play areas for large and small dogs, water fountains for the canines and their human companions, synthetic turf, an automatic irrigation system, seating and landscaping. Additionally, there will be lighting improvements and a path that runs through the park from Stevenson Street to Valencia Street.

New Line Skateparks, one of the world's leading design and construction firms specializing in skateparks, designed the SoMa West skatepark. The plan reflects iconic San Francisco skate spots, with a special nod to Justin Herman Plaza. The Arts Commission commissioned San Francisco artist Jovi Schnell to paint a mural at the site. The artwork is inspired by the long-ago shuttered Woodward Gardens amusement park, which was located nearby.

The SoMa West project will be the sixth public skatepark in the City and the first designated dog play area in the neighborhood.

"This project adds much-need park space to an underserved neighborhood,” said Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of the Recreation and Park Department. “The skateparks and off-leash dog areas in our City are heavily utilized and we are thrilled to be a part of creating new ones."

The skate park and dog play area are part of a larger package of SoMa West improvements. The first project focused extensively on making the residential alleyways in the area safer and more beautiful. Plans also are in the works to revitalize McCoppin Hub Plaza, located at McCoppin and Valencia streets.

“Ultimately it takes multiple City partners and an engaged community to get a project like this off the ground and across the finish line,” said District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim, who represents the area. “I’m happy that we were able to create needed open space where both dog lovers and youth can coexist using community planning as a model. This community fought for parks, lighting and street improvements.”

The improvements are funded with proceeds from the sale of former Central Freeway parcels that became available when the quake-damaged freeway was torn down. These projects provide improvements in the vicinity of the Central Freeway/Octavia Boulevard.

More information on SoMa West improvements can be found online at www.sfdpw.org/somawest.

About San Francisco Public Works: The 24/7 City agency cleans and resurfaces streets; plants and nurtures City-maintained street trees; designs, constructs and maintains City-owned facilities; inspects streets and sidewalks; builds curb ramps; eradicates graffiti; partners with neighborhoods; trains people for jobs; greens the right-of-way; and educates our communities.

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