Welcome to your India Basin Newsletter for July

Welcome to the latest newsletter for the India Basin Waterfront Park Project, a partnership between the Trust for Public Land, San Francisco Parks Alliance, A. Philip Randolph Institute, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, and the Bayview-Hunters Point community.

The project is environmental justice in action that aims to build a park that is both spectacular and crucial to the health of San Francisco’s southeast communities with an emphasis on public access, social equity, waterfront recreation, resiliency to sea level rise, and habitat and wetland restoration and enhancement. It will seamlessly combine the historical former ship-building site at 900 Innes Avenue with two already existing parks that will each undergo improvements, India Basin Shoreline Park and India Basin Open Space.

In this newsletter, you'll receive regular updates on the project's construction, its Equitable Development Plan, and invitations to events and happenings around the project.

News & Announcements

Summer Play Day at Bayview/KC Jones Playground on July 19

Join us for our annual Summer Play Day on Wednesday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bayview/KC Jones Playground (3rd Street and Armstrong Avenue). The event will feature FREE, fun activities for kids including carnival rides, baseball, soccer, live entertainment, food, the mobile rec rock wall and more! For more information, click the link below.

Welcome Mission Bay Parks with a Celebration on July 20

On July 1, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department assumed the management and maintenance of a unique collection of park spaces in the Mission Bay neighborhood. Celebrate these newest additions to our park system on Thursday, July 20 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Mission Creek Pavilion (290 Channel Street) lawn. The event will feature refreshments, a nature play cart and a brief speaking program. Learn more about our newest park additions at the link below!

Bayview Swim & Splash Program Works to Build Water Safety 

Earlier this month, the New York Times published an article on drowning as the leading killer of young children in the United States, as well as a leading killer of youth overall. Thirty years of progress in decreasing drowning deaths in the United States appears have plateaued, and disparities in deaths among some racial groups have worsened. One of the reasons for this is that the United States is one of the only developed countries without a federal plan to address the crisis. Other reasons include shrinking recreation department budgets and a national lifeguard shortage.

Water safety for children, particularly in Bayview-Hunters Point (BVHP), is a major focus for Rec and Park. Our popular Bayview Safety Swim and Splash (BSSS) program recently wrapped up its spring session. Based out of MLK Pool, BSSS is a free learn-to-swim program for elementary school students living or attending school in the 94124 ZIP code.

Additionally, a water safety workforce development program for older youth is in development as a part of our efforts to train the next generation of swim instructors and lifeguards, which is anticipated to begin later this year.

The program, which launched in 2022 as a partnership between Rec and Park and the YMCA of San Francisco, ensures that neighborhood youth develop confidence in the water and acquire lifelong skills, including floating, breathing, and how to swim to safety if needed.

This program is an initiative of the project's Equitable Development Plan, following the strategy to invest in youth programming within Bayview-Hunters Point. The program also aims to ensure that residents of BVHP can enjoy this aquatic-oriented park to its fullest when it opens. For more information, click the link below.

Esteemed National Organization Welcomes Rec & Park GM to Board

Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg has become the newest addition to the board of directors for the national nonprofit organization Children & Nature Network (C&NN), which works to increase equitable access to nature so that children can thrive by changing the systems that impact children’s lives including cities, schools, youth and family programs.

A growing body of research has asserted that spending time in nature is essential for supporting the healthy development of children, from academic achievement to social and emotional benefits, to improved physical and mental health outcomes.

Ginsburg is a founding member and executive co-chair of the collaborative SF Children and Nature. It was created in 2016 when C&NN and the advocacy organization the National League of Cities chose San Francisco as one of seven cities nationwide to participate in the inaugural initiative Cities Connecting Children to Nature.

Today, SF Children and Nature consists of over 30 local organizations and city agencies. In collaboration with its partners, SF Children and Nature works to address the disparities in nature access along socioeconomic and racial lines to ensure all children have the opportunity to play, learn and grow in the outdoors.

Some accomplishments include developing and promoting Nature Exploration Areas across the city, including at Heron’s Head Park, Golden Gate Heights Park, and Randolph and Bright Mini Park; enhancing nature play spaces at early childhood centers and family childcare homes, with more sites on the way; and hosting Nature Play Days and Create-with-Nature programs at community events and local parks.



For more information, click the link below.

Resilient Youth Leadership Academy Visits San Francisco Parks

The A. Philip Randolph Institute's (APRI) Resilient Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) is an 8-week paid internship that emphasizes professional skill building and increased awareness of the role resilient young people play in civic leadership. For the last month, RYLA interns have learned about the history of Bayview Hunters Point, community leadership, and the importance of public policy and city officials. Recently, the RYLA interns experienced the Resiliency: Intro to Climate Change segment of this program which was hosted in our parks from Alemany Farm to Heron's Head Park!

We're proud to host programs like these in our parks, and look forward to these youth becoming the next leaders in Bayview-Hunters Point and beyond! Learn more about the program at the link below.

Steve McQueen and Martin Luther King Jr. Pool

Ahead of Summer Play Day at Bayview/KC Jones Playground on Wednesday, July 19, we're sharing a bit of the history of Martin Luther King Jr. Pool.

On May 25, 1968 actor Steve McQueen was part of the ceremonial groundbreaking for the first incarnation of Bayview (now KC Jones) Playground’s open-air Olympic-sized swimming pool. He presented Mayor Joseph L. Alioto a check for $25,000 from Warner Brothers-Seven Arts toward construction of the pool. McQueen recently finished filming what became the iconic action flick Bullitt. The pool and bathhouse opened on August 3, 1968 as the Martin Luther King Jr. Swimming Pool, commemorating the civil rights leader who was slain the previous April.

Check out this video from San Francisco State that features the groundbreaking ceremony for the pool, covered by KPIX, with McQueen and Alioto in attendance.

Park histories are written by Rec and Parks' Historian-in-Residence Christopher Pollock.

Celebrate National Park and Recreation Month this July

Happy National Park and Recreation Month! Each July since 1985, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) highlights the work of the nation’s 160,000 fulltime park and recreation professionals, along with hundreds of thousands of part time and seasonal workers and volunteers. These dedicated employees and volunteers build strong, vibrant and resilient communities through maintaining local, state, and national parks and providing nature education, outdoor activities, arts and more for kids, adults and seniors. 

This year's theme — “Where Community Grows” — celebrates the vital role park and recreation professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services and fostering the growth of our communities. Check out events, programs and activities in our parks this July that bring community together at the link below.

Remembering Rec and Park Commissioner Larry Griffin

We were saddened to hear of the passing of our Recreation and Park Commissioner Laurence (Larry) Griffin. Larry spent his life dedicated to bettering San Francisco, working in both public service and with labor organizations.

He was a native San Franciscan who grew up visiting our city’s parks, where some of his fondest childhood memories took place. On the commission, he helped break ground and reopen many parks, including Rossi Pool, where he learned to swim as child.

Larry was sworn in as commissioner in 2021, and his leadership was invaluable. Through thoughtful and active listening and public engagement, he provided effective direction for our department, making our park system one of the best in the country. He truly loved parks and understood their importance in creating a more just society.

Thank you, Larry, for all that you’ve done for our city. Your memory will be a blessing for us always. Our thoughts are with your family and closest friends during this difficult time. Read his obituary from the San Francisco Chronicle at the link below.

India Basin July Construction Update

We're plowing forward with work at the park this summer, as we continue to place the deck for Pier 2. The concrete steps have been formed and stripped for the shop building as well.

We're continuing to push through shoring plans for both Shipwright's Cottage and hope to begin this part of construction in the coming months. Stay tuned for more photos of the park this summer!

Upcoming Events and Activities

Southeast Community Center Farmer's Market Every Thursday

Come out to the city's newest farmers market at the Southeast Community Center (1550 Evans Street), which takes place every Thursday through November 30 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. It features fresh produce, baked goods and freebies for the community to enjoy. For more information, click the link below.

Bayview National Night Out on August 1

Join community partners and celebrate National Night Out in the Bayview on Tuesday, August 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre and Joseph Lee Recreation Center (Oakdale and Third Street). This is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and neighborhood comradery with the goal of creating safer and stronger neighborhoods.

There will be a resource fair, kids zone, free food and a talent show for all ages. Register for the talent show by Monday, July 24. Performances should not be more than 5 minutes and must include family-friendly music and content. For more information and to sign up for the talent show, click the link below.

The Box Shop Open House on August 13

Join the Box Shop (951 Hudson Avenue) every second Sunday of the month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an open house. The next will take place on August 13! Tour this maker space and view the more than 130 murals hosted at this artist hub in Bayview-Hunters Point. For more information about this facility, click the link below. 

Sundown Cinema at India Basin Shoreline Park on September 8

Sundown Cinema has returned to San Francisco parks for its 2023 season. Join the San Francisco Parks Alliance and DoTheBay for these free film screenings at the park, including at India Basin Shoreline Park on Friday, September 8 featuring "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." For more information, click the link below.

Programs

Free Financial Coaching for BVHP Community

As part of the India Basin Waterfront Park Project’s Equitable Development Plan, free, one-on-one financial coaching is available to the Bayview-Hunters Point community! Rec and Park has partnered with the San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment to offer Smart Money Coaching to anyone who lives, works, studies, or receives services in the neighborhood. 

Smart Money Coaches focus on supporting clients to open safe and affordable bank accounts, establish and build emergency funds, manage debt, and establish and build their credit. Coaches are available to provide sessions in Spanish and Cantonese, along with English; and coaching is available to all, regardless of immigration status. Coaching will initially be offered virtually, with in-person sessions beginning this summer.   

To make an appointment, call (877) 256-0073 or click the link below.

Feline Finesse Dance Company Tryouts on July 23

Tryouts are coming up for Feline Finesse Dance Company on Sunday, July 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 4430 3rd Street. This organization creates a safe haven for all young ladies to freely, creatively, and artistically express themselves through dance while empowering them to reach their full potential, goals and dreams. We're proud to partner with Feline Finesse and host their programming in our parks, including at Heron's Head Park and India Basin Shoreline Park. For more information and to register, contact Coach Lilla at (510) 478-8495 or email felinefinesse.dance@gmail.com.

Register for Brown Bombers Football Season

Get ready for football season with the San Francisco Brown Bombers, a youth football/cheerleading organization that has been a community pillar for more than 20 years. The team practices out of Youngblood Coleman Playground in Bayview-Hunters Point and are currently recruiting for the upcoming season. For more information and to register, click the link below. 

Intentional Walk Community Walking Program Through August 31

Intentional Walk is a free community walking program hosted by the San Francisco Department of Public Health that aims to encourage San Franciscans to get outside, linking users to walkable places including local parks and trails. Participants must download the Intentional Walk app to track their walking miles and to be eligible to win merchandise from the San Francisco Giants. There will also be a grand prize for the person who walks on the most! The program is running through August 31. For more information and to sign up, click the link below.

Swing into Stories at Hilltop Park on August 15

The San Francisco Public Library's (SFPL) YouthMobile is coming to the park! Movement and play are essential building blocks in fostering literacy and a love of reading and the SFPL is bringing stories and song to San Francisco's parks through its Swing into Stories program. It takes place at a different park each Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The next will take place on August 15 at Hilltop Park (Newcomb Avenue and Whitney Young Circle). Join us for a high-energy storytime in our beautiful outdoors! 

The YouthMobile offers a diverse selection of children’s library materials available for check-out with an SFPL library card. From the city’s only kid-focused bookmobile, staff circulates materials, creates library cards and provides the public with information about library services and programs. For more information and the Swing into Stories schedule, click the link below.