Before 
During
Featured Projects :
Neighborhood Treasures
Neighborhood Treasures
are those special and sometimes surprising things each
part of town has which make it more interesting and delightful. They are the things
we enjoy discovering in our daily path. They may be accidental or intentional
and they don't cost anything to enjoy. Neighborhood Treasures are what make you
smile to yourself when you're walking down the street. They are things you want
to share with your friends and grandkids.
PROJECTS IN PROCESS
Paving-to-planting conversions are taking place throughout San Francisco. To participate, please contact Plant*SF.
Harrison Street Greenway (Mission District), 2007
Before During
In the late 1970's, several sidewalk extensions were created along Harrison Street by the planning department in an attempt to humanize this extremely wide residential street. However, because they were fully paved and in addition to already-wide expanses of sidewalk, a bleak landscape remained. In October 2007, neighbors at Harrison and 23rd Streets partnered with DPW to remove a total of 1,000 sf of concrete and underlying roadway at two of these so-called "bulb-outs". At the same time, 5 property owners added sidewalk landscaping to their frontages, for an additional 1,100 sf. In additional to environmental benefits, this project has resulted in a significant social transformation of the block - reinforcing the pedestrian scale, making a more hospitable and interesting walking experience, and inviting neighborly interactions. The plantings have brought together long time residents with more recent arrivals - as evidenced by neighbors introducing themselves after 30 years of living around the corner from each other and a 4-day-old introduced to nature on his first outing. Butterflies have already discovered the spot. Landscape design by Shift Design Studio.
Phase 2 of the Harrison Greenway is in the planning phase - please contact Plant*SF if you would like to participate.
18th/Shotwell/Folsom (Mission District), 2007
Before 
During
This neglected stretch of sidewalk surrounding a fenced parking lot is being transformed through sidewalk gardens. Formerly an unsafe and unsightly site of frequent illegal dumping and homeless encampments, this area extends the existing Shotwell Greenway and (with 3236 18th Street shown below) helps establish the 18th Street Greenway. Extending into the property to include an area for a heritage tree, the plantings also serve to divert stormwater from areas of the parking lot. All plants used are San Francisco natives which were propogated locally, are drought tolerant and require no irrigation once established. This project removes 3,300 square feet of concrete and is phase one of a street greening partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) which will eventually continue around the entire block and to other PG&E properties. This partnership aims to help PG&E be better neighbors and make good on their "Let's Green This City" campaign while bringing the message of sustainable streetscapes to a wider audience. Landscape design by Shift Design Studio. Plants supplied by BayNatives.
2700 22nd Street (Mission District), 2007
Before 
After
Occupying a corner location, the sidewalk landscaping at this urban victorian single family home doubles the area of its private back yard, while benefitting the neighborhood instead of being only for the owner's enjoyment. The semi-formal design expands basins at existing trees. At the owner's request, exotic species are featured alongside several native species and a lemon tree. All plants are drought tolerant and require no irrigation. Landscape design by Shift Design Studio.
348 Scott Street (Lower Haight District), 2007
Before 
After
San Francisco native species are the highlight of this sidewalk garden. The owners' young children were involved in the planting and observe the garden's growth from the living room window as well as on their way out the door. This is an example of a simple way to bring nature back to our everyday urban lives. All plants are drought tolerant and require no irrigation. Landscape design by Shift Design Studio.
1634 Jerrold Avenue (near 3rd Street, Bayview District), 2007
Before
After
Located on the 125' long street frontage of a commercial plant nursery in the Bayview District, this sidewalk garden will double as a showcase of suitable sidewalk garden plants. After following sustainable building standards in the rest of the project, the owner was disappointed to learn that city inspectors expected the sidewalk to be completely replaced. Seeking a more sustainable option than removing and replacing over 3,300 square feet of largely unblemished concrete (on both Jerrold and Innes Avenues), owners elected to apply for a sidewalk landscaping permit which reduced the area of replacement by 40%, saving considerably on material resources, energy and labor. Additionally, vibrant plantings will now appear in this otherwise lifeless expanse of concrete and asphalt, while providing an outward identity to the nursery and prime space for demonstration gardens. Special thanks to Flora Grubb, Seth Boor and Matarozzi/Pelsinger .
18th Street (Shotwell/Folsom, Mission District), 2007
Before
After
The Shotwell Greenway (featured near end below) turns the corner - both literally and figuratively. Located just around the corner from Shotwell Street on 18th Street in the Mission, this sidewalk garden expands upon the ideas tested in the initial model. This project was undertaken in response to a notice to repair the sidewalk due to cracked concrete and sidewalk heaving from maturing trees. Plant list includes natives such as Big Leaf Maple and North Coast Dudleya, edible Meyer Lemons, as well as a continuation of drought tolerant species used in the Shotwell Greenway (lavender, aloe, tulbaghia, etc.). Landscape design by Shift Design Studio.
Shrader Street Greenway (Haight/Ashbury District), 2007
Before
After
After receiving "30-day Notice to Repair Sidewalks", a group of neighbors on Shrader Street (between Haight and Waller Streets) elected to remove large areas of sidewalk instead of replacing it. This provides a better environment for the trees which were causing sidewalk buckling, meaning that the property owners save money from having to replace concrete in the future. It is planted with native grasses and wildflowers propagated from local stock which require no irrigation. The tan material pictured is decomposed granite, a compacted, durable, walkable and permeable surface. The terra cotta material is a locally produced, post-consumer recycled product made of tumbled broken pots. Between three properties in the first phase of this greenway, there will be over 300 linear feet converted to sidewalk gardens. This configuration has plantings on both sides of the remaining sidewalk for a walk-through garden feel and to protect the buildings from easy tagging and chronic loitering. Landscape design by Shift Design Studio.
Alhambra Street Neighbors Planting (Marina District), 2007
Before
After
With twenty-foot-wide sidewalks and no vegetation, neighbors in adjacent properties on this Marina District street realized there was plenty of opportunity for a dramatic transformation and increased infiltration (water into the ground instead of the sewers). Several sizes of stone create large areas of texture to this otherwise monotonous and barren urban landscape. Several trees were added as well as drought tolerant plantings. A second layer of sidewalk was uncovered below the current sidewalk, which was a surprise to the crew, but they proceeded undaunted and now benefit from a buffer from the street as well as greenery and shade. Landscape design by Saskia Lotfi. Photo credit: Alexa Fabrega (left), Saskia Lotfi (right).
4201 22nd Street (Noe/Eureka Valley District), 2007
Before 
After
The first phase installation of this sidewalk garden introduces permeability and vertical greening with vines along the building's edge. This creates a buffer between the house and sidewalk and gives pedestrians the feeling of walking through a garden. The full design features espalied fruit trees and other drought tolerant edibles for humans on the house side while edibles and habitat for birds and butterflies appear on the street side. No irrigation is required. Landscape design by Shift Design Studio.
Illinois Street Community Garden (Bayview District), 2006
In conjunction with a new bridge over Islais Creek at Illinois Street south of Marin Street, Port improvements precipitated the near-complete demolition of a former community garden. Working as a liaison between the Port and a community group, Plant*SF demonstrated areas to be retained for a garden and socializing, while accommodating the demands of infrastructure and code compliance. The site is along the BlueGreenway area of the San Francisco Bay Trail.
Dahlia PARK-ing (City Hall, Civic Center District), 2006
This temporary interactive installation in Mayor Newsom's parking spot outside City Hall in San Francisco called attention to the need for urban street greening and engaged citizens and supervisors with dahlias, the official city flower. A collaboration with Mike Farrah, Senior Advisor to Mayor Newsom. In conjunction with PARK-ing Day sponsored by Rebar and the Trust for Public Land. See www.rebargroup.org.
Taraval Triangle (Taraval at Great Ocean Boulevard, Outer Sunset District), 2006
After initial seeding. Photo Dave Ferguson 2006.
Working with Supervisor Fiona Ma, a group of neighbors have reclaimed a significant amount of ground from a vastly paved area at the convergence of two major streets in this community adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. In November 2005, the San Francisco Department of Public Works provided concrete removal as well as the pouring of a new curb to prevent autos from entering the landscaping. Special thanks to (then Supervisor) Fiona Ma, Dave Ferguson, and Mohammed Nuru, DPW.
Guerrero/San Jose Blvd (south of Cesar Chavez Street, Mission District), 2006
Construction Photos - 2006.
The San Jose Guerrero Save Our Streets (SJG-SOS) Neighborhood Group conducted this inspiring project in November 2005, creating an oasis of drought tolerant plants and trees in place of a concrete median. Species include palms, olive trees, euphorbia, kangaroo paw and agave. The San Francisco Department of Public Works provided concrete removal and plant installation labor alongside neighborhood volunteers. This project was sponsored by the Mayor's Office of City Greening. Special thanks to Gillian Gillette, Flora Grubb, Marshall Foster, Mohammed Nuru and Ed Lee. Photos courtesy of Gillian Gillette. See www.sanjoseguerrero.com.
Wells Fargo Bank / 16th and Mission BART Station (16th Street west of Mission Street, Mission District), 2006
Vines soon after planting, 2006.
With renovations completed at the southwest corner of the 16th and Mission BART station, Plant*SF encouraged the neighboring Wells Fargo Bank to de-pave a narrow passage along the fenceline and plant a climbing fragrant vine for the environmental and social benefits of greenery in this public space. The opportunity to depave was welcomed as a means to avoid undertaking an alternative scheme that would have required mechanical drainage. Instead, permeable decomposed granite permits water to infiltrate the ground. The bank building features large glass windows facing the BART plaza which were always hidden behind closed blinds. Now, the windows are exposed, providing natural light and a pleasant view of the vines to employees and patrons. In addition, the bank has also extended its outdoor ATM hours. These are modest but meaningful signs of reclaiming the public space from crime and hazards. Special thanks to Wells Fargo Bank and Branch Manager, Rose Posada.
Shotwell Greenway (Shotwell Street between 17th and 18th Streets, Mission District), 2005
Before
During
After
This model sidewalk garden is a joint project of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, Departments of Public Works and Public Utilities Commission and Shotwell Street property owners. It is the premier project of Plant*San Francisco. Installed in March 2005 by removing significant portions of formerly existing concrete sidewalks, it demonstrates one approach to reducing storm loads on the combined city sewer system. Instead of entering the sewer, rain water is now permitted to permeate the exposed soil and nourish plants. When this method is implemented throughout the city, it will result in a significant reduction on the currently overloaded sewer system.
The drought tolerant plants were selected by the neighborhood association in collaboration with the Department of Public Works who installed them. Plantings were undertaken during the wet season and no irrigation is provided or required.
Special thanks to:
Daniel
Homsey - Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services
Ed Lee, James Chia, Paul
Sacamano, Grace Kwak and the ground crew - Department of Public Works
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Shotwell
Street Neighborhood Association
CITYWIDE GREENING ADVOCACY
Plant*SF advocates for permeable landscape and use of drought-tolerant and native plantings - and makes educational presentations to city agencies, architecture and design firms, neighborhood associations and other groups. Most notably, these have included the San Francisco Mayor's Office, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, SPUR and SafeCleanGreen. Our informational booth at World Environment Day 2005 in San Francisco generated interest in visitors from local Bay Area communities as well as those from as far away as Japan and Kenya. Please contact Plant*SF if you would like a presentation in your area.
DPW Bureau of Urban Forestry Inspector Chris Buck at work. (Photo Jane Martin
2007)
Plant*SF continues to work with the DPW Bureau of Urban Forestry and Bureau of Street Use and Mapping inspectors to increase awareness of the new policy and to clarify standards as they are applied to various configurations.
Plant*SF founder
Jane Martin presents a bouquet of sidewalk-grown drought-tolerant flowers (Lavender,
Iris and Lamb's Ear) to Mayor Newsom at San Francisco City Hall. (Photo Luke Thomas
2005)
Mayor Newsom's 2005-2006 City Budget included $14.0 million "to improve and beautify our neighborhood and commercial corridors", in addition to $20.9 million "to repair our parks and complete stalled playground and recreation center construction projects". Plant*SF advocated that these funds take advantage of an opportunity to implement stormwater diversion as well as the use of drought-tolerant and native plantings.
An example of allowable private gardens in the public right-of-way, this sidewalk garden was installed in 2003 in the Mission District of San Francisco. In an area known for parking and driving on the sidewalks, a permit was granted to replace forty percent of the concrete in this 14' wide sidewalk with plants and permeable paving. Using drought tolerant and native species, it is not irrigated and does not require regular watering. An emphasis is placed on texture and height variation as well as a soft color palette, resulting in a pedestrian (and butterfly) friendly streetscape. Auto access is maintained by a concrete paver strip and a plantable permeable driveway.
Sample of city-approved permeable paving for driveways. Note that utilities (gas, electric and water) coexist with pavers and plantings. Note that other permeable pavers are now allowed. Pavers are laid over gravel and sand bed. Areas of dirt may be planted with varieties of dense low grass which may be driven over. See the "How To" section and Resources (Permeable Pavers) for details.
Several paver types are laid together in this test area. Basalite "SF Rima" and "Turfstone" as well as cobbles excavated from the 1900's street provide a driveable surface.
Because these raised planters are placed on top of an impermeable surface (concrete), they are not technically permeable landscaping, however the plants do absorb water and the soil slows the transmission of water into the storm sewer and filters minerals and nutrients. Further, the presence of these planters helped galvanize an effort to do more extensive plantings in the area.A $2500 grant from San Francisco Beautiful (www.SFBeautiful.org) in 2000 covered expenses for 12 of these planters which were assembled by neighbors on a Saturday and distributed along both sides of one block. Volcanic rock was mixed into the soil and holes were drilled in the bottom of the troughs to promote good drainage. Planted with fragrant and flowering drought tolerant plants, they require very little maintenance and are enjoyed by residents and passersby alike. Almost no graffiti or plant theft has been experienced
.THESE PLANTERS MIGRATE! - Contact Plant*SF if you or your neighborhood group is interested in hosting one or more of these planters on a trial basis.
Planter Migration: These planters have migrated within the Mission District. See them in their new home:
While permeable landscaping may take place simultaneously citywide in all neighborhoods, for the purpose of minimizing loads on the city sewer system priority should be given to locations at higher elevations so that water may be absorbed before heading downstream with force.
Priority
Neighborhoods for de-paving:
Noe Valley / Twin Peaks / Diamond Heights / Forest
Hill / Castro / Miraloma Park / Glen Park / Haight-Ashbury / Pacific Heights /
Russian Hill / Nob Hill / Bernal Hill / Potrero Hill
Under
the Central Freeway - Division (13th) Street
The
'nomansland' of Division (13th) Street separates SoMa from the Mission District.
This expansive site provides ample opportunities for permeable landscaping in
medians and sidewalk locations. Shade gardens and climbers may be appropriate.
Restructuring the use of these areas would result in stitching these now disparate
neighborhoods together. Division Street could be renamed "Vision" Street.
Sidewalk
Interventions
Many
sidewalks in San Francisco are wide enough to accommodate plantings. Sidewalk
plantings provide a psychological and physical barrier between vehicles and pedestrians.
While plants thrive in little ground area, it is important to expose as much earth
as possible to maximize water diversion.The
impulse to add plants to the public right-of-way is in evidence throughout San
Francisco. These containers could be made permanent by removing concrete and gardening
directly in the ground.
This sidewalk (below) was narrowed by just 12 inches to plant directly adjacent to the building, providing a living buffer between building and sidewalk which shades windows with western exposure. Even more of the sidewalk could be converted for this purpose. Likewise areas around street trees can be opened up considerably.
Treat
Triangle
This
triangular site is bordered by Harrison, Treat and 16th Streets and presents opportunities
for permeable landscaping in the area now paved as street as well as the large
triangular sidewalk area. It happens to be situated near a major underground knuckle
of the sewer system. It would provide a neighborhood pocket park for the large
number of new housing units directly across the street.
San
Jose at 22nd Street
The
excessive width of this 'halfstreet' between Valencia and Guerrero Streets provides
an opportunity to dedicate generous planting strips. The character of this street
would be totally transformed from its current un-natural state. Many similar sites
occur in other areas of The City.
To propose a project, please contact Plant*SF.
Home
| Mission
Statement | Permeable Landscaping
| Featured Projects | Resources
| How-To | Forms
| Contact
