List of Successful Parks from OS Workshops

According to meeting participants the universal feature of successful parks is their accessibility--either by foot or public transit.  Other features of successful parks include:
•    Signage, e.g., park name, rules, hours
•    Information kiosk to post notices
•    Benches, BBQs, picnic tables
•    Community gardens
•    Doggie bag dispensers
•    Open (and clean!) toilets

Participants also noted the following qualities as vital for parks to flourish:
•    Activities for all ages
•    Opportunities to enjoy nature
•    Routine maintenance
•    Safety
•    Visual appeal, e.g., trees, flowers, public art

Many of these elements can be added as required design elements for every capital project.  And some of the ‘best park’ qualities suggested by many participants are no or low cost – got flowers anyone?

The following list represents the responses that were provided by Open Space Workshop participants when asked, "What are the most successful parks and open spaces in San Francisco?"

Click here for a list of successful parks outside the city.

24th & York Street Mini Park
Alamo Square
Alice Marble Courts
Alice Wong Park
Alioto Mini Park
Allyne Park
Alta Plaza Park
Argonne Playground
Aqua Vista
Balboa Park
Beiderman & O’Farrell Mini Park
Bernal Heights Natural Area
Bernal Heights Recreation Center
Billy Goat Hill
Blue Park
Brooks Park
Buena Vista Park
Cabrillo Clubhouse
Cabrillo Playground
Candlestick Park
Cayuga Playground
Chestnut & Kearny Mini Park
Coit Tower
Corona Heights Open Space
Cottage Row Mini Park
Cow Hollow Playground
Crissy Field
Crocker Amazon Playground
Dolores Park
Duboce Park Playground
Embarcadero
Esprit Park
Eureka Dog Run
Eureka Valley Recreation Center
Excelsior Playground
Fay Park & House
Ferry Building Farmer’s Market
Folsom St. (from Cesar Chavez to 15th St.)
Fort Funston
Fort Mason
Franklin & Green Community Garden
Franklin Square
Fulton Playground
Garfield Square Playground
Gene Friend Rec Center
Gilman Playground
Glen Park Canyon Open Space
Glen Park Recreation Center
Golden Gate Heights Park
GGNRA
Golden Gate Park
GGP Arboretum
GGP Children’s Playground
GGP Panhandle
Harding Park Golf Course
Harvey Milk Plaza
Hayes Valley Playground
Helen Wills Playground
Heron’s Head Park
Holly Park
Howard & Langston Mini Park
Islais Creek
Jack Early Park
J. P. Murphy Playground
Jackson Playground
Joe DiMaggio Playground
Joseph Conrad Square
Julius Kahn Playground
Justin Herman Plaza
Kelloch & Velasco Park
Koshland Park
Lafayette Park
Lake Merced
Land’s End Park
Latona Community Garden
Levi’s Plaza
Lincoln Park
Lyon Street Steps
Marina Green
Marina Middle School
Marini Plaza
McCoppin Square
McKinley Square
McLaren Park
Michelangelo Playground
Midtown Terrace Playground
Mint Plaza
Miraloma Playground
Mission Bay Dog Park
Mission Creek
Mission Playground
Moscone Recreation Center
Mount Davidson Park
Mountain Lake Park
Mt. Sutro
Noe St. (N of Market)
Ocean Beach
Page Street Gardens
Palega Recreation Center
Park Presidio Blvd.
Parkside Square
Parque Nino Unidos
Patricia’s Green
People’s Park (Mission Bay)
Pine Lake Park
Poppy Lane in Glen Park
Portsmouth Square
Potrero del Sol Park
Potrero Hill Community Garden
Potrero Hill Recreation Center
Precita Park
Presidio
Richmond Playground
Rochambeau Playground
Rossi Pool
Sidney Walton Park
Silver Terrace Playground
South Park
St. Mary’s Square
Sterling Park
Stern Grove
Sunnyside Conservatory
Sunnyside Playground
Sunset Recreation Center
Sunset Resevoir Park
Sutro Heights Park
Tank Hill
Townsend Circle
Upper Douglas Park
Upper Noe Recreation Center
Victoria Manolo Draves Park
Victory Park
Walter Haas Playground
Washington Square
Warm Water Cove
West Portal Playground
West Sunset Playground
Yerba Buena Gardens

Outside of San Francisco
Hoboken Skate Park, On Hudson River
Hyde Park, London
Kew Gardens, London
Lenin Park, Havana
Regents Park, London
San Bruno Mtn., CA
Savannah, GA
Various Pocket Parks, Shanghai