Esprit Park Renovation Project

Background

200723 ESPRIT PARK - ECAG_newsletterEsprit Park was built as a private, corporate park in 1982 and transferred to San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Department in 2001.

The park is an urban oasis, connecting the neighborhood to nature within an urban environment. As Dogpatch transitions to a high density residential neighborhood, the park is experiencing an increased level of use by all — adults, children, and dogs.  

Scope of Work

The Esprit Park Renovation Project is a full park renovation. The park’s central meadow will be bisected by an east/west path, allowing for more strolling and running in the park. Specific uses will be assigned to the two meadows. In the north meadow, a new off-leash dog play area will be created. The south meadow will be designated “dog-free” and dogs on-leash or off-leash will not be permitted (service animals allowed). New plantings as well as exercise equipment, site furnishings, and signage will be added. The project is currently in construction and expected to open early 2024.


Rec and Park is partnering with UCSF and the Dogpatch & NW Potrero Hill Green Benefit District (GBD) and, through the GBD, a design team led by Fletcher Studio Landscape Architecture & Urban Design to complete this project.


Project Goals 

  • Refresh the park after almost 40 years of use;
  • Make the park more durable and resilient to withstand increased use;
  • Retain the park’s natural design and feel;
  • Make the park more usable for a wider variety of activities; and
  • Meet current codes and regulations.

Funding

Project funding is from development impact fees and a grant from UCSF.


The construction contract award for this project was approved by Recreation and Parks Commission on September 7, 2022 (PDF). This construction contract award obtained and complies with all city, state, and federal regulatory approvals, including any that are specific to this project's funding sources.


Project Schedule

PhaseTimeline
PlanningFall 2017
DesignSpring 2021
Construction contract awardedSeptember 7, 2022
ConstructionEarly 2023 - Early 2024
Open to the publicEarly 2024


Project Updates

If you would like to sign-up for Project Update blog posts like the ones below, click here, scroll down to the News Flash section, and then select "RPD Park Improvements | All Project Updates" to receive updates on all our active projects, or pick-and-choose your blog subscriptions by project name. You’ll receive an email that includes a link to confirm your new subscription for each blog for which you sign-up.

  1. Project Update Blog
  2. Documents and Materials
  1. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park | Tree Removal and Replacement | Construction update, November 2023

    During our ongoing monitoring efforts, we discovered that a tree that we were attempting to preserve in place during construction was in decline. The tree is located Read on...
  2. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park | Construction update, October 2023

    We are nearing completion on the two boardwalk decking areas, coordinating with our supplier to ship adult exercise equipment, working to complete installation of storm drainage system Read on...
  3. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park | Construction update, September 2023

    We’re happy to report on our progress at Esprit Park in the past month since our last update: Installed the pipes and backflow preventer for two new Read on...
  4. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park | Construction update, August 2023

    Thanks to community members who have been keeping an eye on construction progress. A majority of inquiries we’ve received are in the following two categories Read on...
  5. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park | Construction update, July 2023

    Thanks to community members who have been keeping an eye on the park and on construction progress. A couple of community members have reached out to express Read on...
  6. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park | Construction update, June 2023

    You may have noticed that the pace of construction at Esprit Park has slowed over recent weeks. This is in part because Read on...
  7. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park | Project update May 2023

    You may have noticed a slow down in the pace of noticeable progress on site. The project team is working hard to protect Read on...
  8. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park construction update | April 2023 - Construction Resumes at Esprit Park

    Due to heavy rain and winds, and then saturated soil, construction at Esprit Park was paused for nearly a month. We are happy to report that our contractor Read on...
  9. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Renovation | Presentation from March 8 Community Update now available

    Thanks to community members for joining us last night for an update on the renovation of Esprit Park Read on...
  10. Capital Project Update

    SF Rec and Park Commission Meeting at Joe Lee Rec Center | March 16 at 10 a.m.

    Come meet your Rec and Park Commissioners at our offsite Commission meeting at Joe Lee Rec Center Read on...
  11. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Renovation Reminder: March 8 Online Community Update

    A reminder to please join us for an online community meeting update Read on...
  12. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park - March 8 Online Community Update and Construction Progress

    Save the Date for an online community meeting update hosted by Rec and Park . . . Read on...
  13. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Fencing to Go Up Week of Jan 23rd!

    We are excited to announce that, following January 19 Notice to Proceed (NTP) and January 20 groundbreaking ceremony . . . Read on...
  14. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Renovation Groundbreaking Event and Construction Start!

    We are excited to announce that we have a Notice to Proceed (NTP) date for the construction contract for the Esprit Park Renovation Project. . . Read on...
  15. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Renovation Update 12/22!

    We are excited to announce that we completed a pre-construction planning meeting with the contractor this month and anticipate . . . Read on...
  16. Capital Project Update

    Commission and Permitting and Construction for Esprit

    The Recreation and Park Commission has approved the construction contract . . . Read on...
  17. Capital Project Update

    Preparing for Tree Work at Esprit Park

    Rec and Park is coordinating with the Public Works Bureau of Urban Forestry (BUF) to notice community members about . . . Read on...
  18. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Commission Presentation Sept 7!

    Staff have worked with Public Works Contract Administration and the City’s Contract Monitoring Division to confirm . . . Read on...
  19. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Project Update Presentation and Commission Award of Construction Contract

    Thanks to the nearly 30 people who attended and participated in yesterday evening’s online community meeting update. . . . Read on...
  20. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Renovation Project Virtual Community Meeting August 16th!

    We are hosting an online meeting on August 16 to update community members on project progress and answer questions. . . . Read on...
  21. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Renovation Project is Out to Bid!

    The Esprit Park Renovation Project is out to bid! . . . Read on...
  22. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Update 6/2!

    We are happy to report that 100% bid documents have been submitted by the design team and . . . Read on...
  23. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Update 4/28!

    The design team is continuing to close design and coordination loops as efficiently as possible . . . Read on...
  24. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Update 3/23/2022

    The design team is continuing to close design and coordination loops as efficiently as possible, still with the goal of finalizing construction documents and advertising to contractors this spring. Read on...
  25. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Update 2/23/2022

    The design team has completed and submitted 90% construction documents drawings and specifications Read on...
  26. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Update 11/23!

    Recreation and Parks, together with Fletcher Studio, presented updates on the Esprit Park Renovation Project to . . . Read on...
  27. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Virtual Community Meeting on November 18th!

    Rec and Park is hosting an online update to community members on the Esprit Park Renovation Project on . . . Read on...
  28. Capital Project Update

    Esprit park Project News 9/30/21!

    Consultant on site at Esprit this week to inventory the condition of the storm drainage system that was installed approximately 15 years ago. . . Read on...
  29. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Update 9/11!

    We have been assessing conditions on site over the past few months, including the following: . . Read on...
  30. Capital Project Update

    Esprit park Project News 6/14!

    We are happy to report that the Board of Supervisors has approved the grants that support the project. . . Read on...
  31. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Poised for Robust Renovation

    Esprit Park is one step closer to a $7.7 million renovation designed to balance the needs of its growing Dogpatch community—from families to fitness enthusiasts to dogs and their people, the SF Rec & Park Department and UC San Francisco announced today. Read on...
  32. Capital Project Update

    Esprit park Project News 4/23/21!!

    Rec and Park staff will be presenting two related Accept and Expend resolutions to the Board of Supervisors Budget & Finance Subcommittee on Wednesday, April 28. Read on...
  33. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Renovation Update MAR '21

    Now that the Rec and Park Commission has approved a final concept design, the team is working to build a detailed schedule and project plan Read on...
  34. Capital Project Update

    Esprit park Project News 2/23!

    Hi everyone- At long last, we have an approved conceptual design for the project! Read on...
  35. Capital Project Update

    Esprit park Project Update 1/22!

    Hi folks- We have exciting news! We will be presenting a concept plan for approval at the Rec Park Commission in February! . . . Read on...
  36. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Renovation Update Dec '20

    Thank you to those who attended our virtual community meeting! We are currently conducting an online survey for the project Read on...
  37. Capital Project Update

    Esprit park Project Update 10/29!

    Hi everyone - We are getting organized for a virtual community workshop . . . Read on...
  38. Capital Project Update

    Esprit park Project Update 9/18!

    Hi all- We are planning for additional community outreach this Fall. . . Read on...
  39. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Update 8/21!

    Hi all - We are working on details for additional community outreach in the next few weeks. . . Read on...
  40. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Update 7/24!

    We had a meeting of the Esprit Park Advisory Group and associated meeting materials are available on our website. Read on...
  41. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Community Advisory Group Meeting 7/23/2020!

    Please join us for the meeting if you can. Read on...
  42. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Update June 2020

    The project team is scheduling the next ECAG meeting and broad community outreach will follow. Read on...
  43. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Update 5/22

    Hi all- The project team is completing the design updates and we are looking forward to sharing them with the community this summer. Read on...
  44. Capital Project Update
  45. Capital Project Update

    Esprit Park Project Update

    The project team has been updating the project design based on feedback from the community workshop. Read on...
  46. Capital Project Update

    POP-IN WORKSHOP SUMMARY FEB 2020

    Thank you so much to those who attended this month’s Pop-In Workshop! We got some great feedback Read on...
  47. Capital Project Update

    ESPRIT PARK WORKSHOP- CONCEPT PLAN

    We are excited to announce an upcoming workshop to help finalize the concept plan for the renovation of Esprit Park Read on...
  48. Capital Project Update

    ESPRIT PARK COMMUNITY OUTREACH UPDATE

    Hi everyone! We had a great time at the Pop-Up Playdate in November! We are looking forward to continuing outreach efforts Read on...
  49. Capital Project Update

    POP-UP PLAYDATE AT ESPRIT PARK!

    Hi everyone! Join us for a fun day of play for kids of all ages at Esprit Park Read on...
  50. Capital Project Update

    ESPRIT PARK RENOVATION

    Hi everyone- The contract with the project landscape architect is getting wrapped up and we are looking forward to Read on...
  1. Melinda Sullivan

    Project Manager