reclaimed spaces: an atlas of parklets in san francisco

(re)claimed spaces

an atlas of parklets

within neighborhoods

in san francisco

(re) claimed

spacesan atlas of parklets

within neighborhoods

in san francisco

introduction

what is a parklet?Parklets provide an economical solution to the desire for wider sidewalks.

Parklets are intended to provide space for people to sit, relax and enjoy

the city around them, especially where narrow sidewalks would otherwise

preclude such activities. They are intended to be seen as pieces of street

furniture, providing aesthetic enhancements to the overall streetscape.

Parklets secure this space by repurposing on‐street parking spots.

In the place of car parking, a platform is built to bring the grade of the

sidewalk out into the street. Once the platform is installed, benches, tables,

chairs, landscaping, and bike parking can all be placed on top in order

to provide a welcoming public space along the street. While Parklets are

sponsored by a private partner, all seating on a Parklet must remain free

and open for any member of the public to use. Any movable furniture used

on the Parklet must be different from any existing sidewalk furniture and

table service, including placement of condiments is not permitted.

why reclaim parking spaces?San Francisco’s streets and public rights-of-way make up fully

25% of the city’s land area, more space even than is found in all

of the city’s parks. Many of our streets are excessively wide and

contain large zones of wasted space, especially at intersections.

San Francisco’s new “Pavement to Parks” projects seek to

temporarily reclaim these unused swathes and quickly and

inexpensively turn them into new public plazas and parks.

During the temporary closure, the success of these plazas will

be evaluated to understand what adjustments need to be made

in the short term, and ultimately, whether the temporary closure

should be a long term community investment.

text from sfpavementtoparks.sfplanning.org

about this book

This atlas documented the parklets within neighborhoods

of san francisco and sampled imagery from the each area,

juxtaposing signage, street art and nature for a relationship

between the parklet and the neighborhood it inhabits.

table of contents

10 30 38

46 58 66

98 106 114

Union StreetS

tockton Street

Columbus Avenue

Green Street

Tony’s Coal Fired Pizza

& Slice House

1570 Stockton St

Caffe Greco

423 Columbus Ave

Caffe Roma

526 Columbus Ave

1

3

1

2

23

Union Street

Stockton S

treet

Columbus Avenue

Green Street

Columbus Street & Stockton ParkletCaffe Greco423 Columbus AveSan Francisco, CA 94133

Designed by Rebar Group

Established October 2010

surrounding environment parkletsurrounding environment parklet

Stockton Street & Union ParkletTony’s Coal-Fired Pizza & Slice House1556 Stockton StSan Francisco, CA 94133


Established July 2011

Union Street

Stockton S

treet

Columbus AvenueGreen Street

Columbus Street & Green ParkletCaffe Roma526 Columbus AveSan Francisco, CA 94133


Established April 2011

Union Street

Stockton S

treet

Green Street

Columbus Avenue

Pow

ell Street

Stockton S

treet

Ellis Street

O’Farrell Street

Geary StreetPowell Street

from Ellis to Geary

9th & Irving

9th & Irving

Powell Street PromenadePowell Street from Ellis to Geary

Architect Walter HoodEstablished 2011Sponsored by Audi

Pow

ell Street

Stockton S

treet

Ellis Street

O’Farrell Street

Geary Street

Fillmore S

treet

Webster S

treet

California Street

Pine Street

Bush Street

California Street & Fillmore Parklet

Pizzeria Delfina2406 California StreetSan Francisco, CA

Designed by Síol StudiosEstablished 2012

Fillmore S

treet

Webster S

treet

California Street

Pine Street

Bush Street

Bro

derick S

treet

Divisad

ero S

treet

Fulton Street

Grove Street

11

2

2

Cafe Abir1300 Fulton Street

Mojo Bicycle Cafe639 Divisadero St

Fulton Street & Divisadero ParkletCafe Abir1300 Fulton StSan Francisco, CA 94117

designed by Step3StudioEstablished May 2011

Bro

derick S

treet

Divisad

ero S

treet

Fulton Street

Grove Street

Fulton Street

Grove Street

Divisadero Street& Grove Parklet

Mojo Bicycle Café639 Divisadero St

Designed by RG ArchitectureEstablished 2010

Bro

derick S

treet

Divisad

ero S

treet

Fulton Street

Grove Street

Fulton Street

Grove Street

Cas

tro

Str

eet

Market

Street

17th Street

Castro Commons17th & Castro Street

Cas

tro

Str

eet

Market

Street

17th Street

Castro Commons Parklet

17th and Castro StreetSan Francisco, CA

Designed by Boor Bridges ArchitectureIn collaboration with Flora Grubb GardensEstablished 2010

17th Street

surrounding environment parklet

1

2

3

4

5

Valencia Street

Missio

n Street

14th Street

20th Street

Liberty Street

22nd Street

1

1

2

3

4 5

Four Barrel Coffee

375 Valencia St

Freewheel Bikeshop

914 Valencia St

‘Deepistan National Park(let)

937 Valencia Street

Fabric8 Gallery

3318 22nd Street

Revolution Cafe

3248 22nd Street

Valencia Street & 14th Parklet

Four Barrel Coffee346 Valencia streetSan Francisco, CA

Establlished July 2011

Valencia Street

Mission S

treet

14th Street

1

Valencia & 20th Street ParkletFreewheel Bikeshop914 Valencia Street

designed by Kanbayashi DesignsEstablished March 2011

Valencia Street

Missio

n Street

20th Street

22nd Street

Valencia Street & Liberty ParkletDeeplet937 Valencia StreetSan Francisco, CA

This is the only parklet located in a residential space in San Francisco.

designed byShift Design StudioEstablished 2011

Valencia Street

Missio

n Street

19th Street

20th Street

22nd Street

22nd Street & Valencia ParkletFabric8 Gallery3318 22nd StreetSan Francisco, CA 94110

designed by artist Eric OttoTitled The Peace KeeperEstablished September 2011

Valencia Street

Mission S

treet

20th Street

22nd Street

22nd Street & Bartlett ParkletRevolution Cafe22nd StreetSan Francisco, CA 94

Designed by Rebar GroupEstablished 2011

Valencia Street

Missio

n Street

20th Street

22nd Street

18th StreetTexas S

treet

Missouri S

treet

Farley’s Coffee1315 18th Street

18th Street & Texas Parklet

Farley’s Coffee1315 18th Street San Francisco, CA 94107

Designed by Topher DelaneyEstablished 2011

18th Street

Texas Street

Missouri S

treet

9th Avenue

8th Avenue

Judah Street

Irving StreetArizmendi Bakery1331 9th Avenue

1

Ninth Avenue & Irving Parklet

Arizmendi Bakery1331 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122 Designed by Jack VerdonEstablished 2011

9th Avenue

8th Avenue

Judah Street

Irving Street

Ninth Avenue & Irving Parklet

Arizmendi Bakery1331 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122 Designed by Jack VerdonEstablished 2011

46th Avenue

Judah

Kirkham

Noriega

1

2

Trouble Coffee4033 Judah Street

Devil’s Teeth Bakery3876 Noriega Street

1

2

Judah & 46thAvenue ParkletTrouble Coffee4033 Judah Street San Francisco, CA 94122

Designed by Giuletta Maria Carelli and Ajax OakfordEstablished 2011

46th Avenue

Judah

Kirkham

Noriega

Judah

Kirkham

Noriega

Noriega Street & 46th Parklet

Devil’s Teeth Bakery3876 Noriega Street San Francisco, CA

Designed by Shane CurnynEstablished 2012

46th Avenue

47th Avenue

Judah

Kirkham

Noriega

Noriega Street & 46th Parklet

Devil’s Teeth Bakery3876 Noriega Street San Francisco, CA

Designed by Shane CurnynEstablished 2012

Judah

Kirkham

Noriega

reclaimed spaces: an atlas of parklets in san francisco

Documents

street art

neighborhoods of san

pieces of street furniture

welcoming public space

san franciscos streets

new public plazas

san franciscos new pavement

parking spaces