SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, along with the University of California San Francisco and the Dogpatch community, today unveiled renovations completed at Esprit Park, marking the park’s first major makeover in its 43-year history.
The renovation project aimed to modernize the 2-acre park to meet the demand of the growing neighborhood, while preserving the park’s original open and natural atmosphere.
The new design consists of two spacious north and south meadows. The north meadow serves as a new off-leash dog play area, providing room for canines to roam freely, while the south meadow provides a sprawling dog-free lawn, allowing for people to stay active. Service and support animals are exempt.
An accessible concrete path rings around and bisects both meadows, making it easier to stroll, walk and run through the park. Picnic areas with new seating and tables adorn each of the park’s four corners. Additionally, new trees and plantings have been added throughout the space for a lush atmosphere, while more seating areas provide places for respite and observing nature.
The park’s existing adult exercise stations have been replaced and modernized, and the addition of a fifth station allows more people to get fit.
City leaders and Dogpatch residents celebrated the reopening today, which included activities for kids, refreshments, and the unveiling of a steel plaque installed on a concrete seat wall at 19th and Minnesota streets, honoring the park’s donors and supporters.
“San Francisco’s parks are what make us special,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “The newly renovated Esprit Park will help the Dogpatch community continue to grow and thrive.”
“It has been a long time coming and we are excited to celebrate the completed renovations at Esprit Park,” said District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton. “Esprit Park has long been a cherished space for the Dogpatch community, and this renovation ensures that it remains a welcoming and accessible gathering place for all. With dedicated areas for both pet owners and those seeking a peaceful retreat, this revitalized park reflects our city’s commitment to creating inclusive, vibrant public spaces. I’m grateful to our community partners and city agencies for working together to bring this vision to life, providing a modernized green space that will serve Dogpatch residents for generations to come.”
The park’s renovation marks a milestone in the development of the Dogpatch neighborhood, which experienced a 226 percent population boom between 2010 and 2020.
“This park is a shining example of what’s possible when the City and community work together. The result is an up-to-date urban oasis where families, people with dogs, and everyone else can stay active,” said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “As this vibrant and bustling neighborhood continues to grow, these improvements will be felt for years to come.”
The $8.5 million renovation project was made possible through a partnership with Rec and Park, UCSF, and the Dogpatch & NW Potrero Hill Green Benefit District. Funding included an approximately $4.1 million grant from UCSF, approximately $3.6 million from Eastern Neighborhoods Development Impact Fees, and a separate $835,000 UCSF grant managed by the Dogpatch & NW Potrero Hill GBD.
“UCSF is proud to collaborate with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to advance Esprit Park’s revitalization,” said Dan Bernal, UCSF vice chancellor for Community and Government Relations. “UCSF’s $5 million contribution supported infrastructure and design upgrades that provide safety improvements and enable a range of new amenities and activities. This investment aligns with UCSF’s commitment to partnering with community leaders in Dogpatch and neighborhoods across San Francisco to foster vibrant, inclusive and sustainable community spaces.”
“The Dogpatch neighborhood has experienced tremendous growth over the last few decades. As the community continues to expand, the need for a vibrant, environmentally resilient green public space is even more urgent,” said Dogpatch and NW Potrero Hill GBD President Donovan Lacy. “With the renovations finally finished, Esprit Park has become a truly welcoming space; a space that the entire community can enjoy for decades to come.”
The park, located in the heart of the Dogpatch neighborhood, was originally built as a private park in 1982 for employees of the clothing company Esprit. In 2001, the park was transferred to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and subsequently underwent minor upgrades in 2005, including landscape improvements and updates to the drainage and irrigation systems.
In 2017, Rec and Park and partners began community outreach on the renovation project, soliciting feedback from residents to create an updated, modern park that could better serve both pet owners and non-pet owners.
A design team led by Fletcher Studio Landscape Architecture and Urban Design helped create the vision for the renovation. Construction on the project began in January 2023.