With a vision to expand green space in SoMa, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will take the first step Thursday toward acquiring a commercial property at 240 6th Street. The 9,625 square foot parcel, which currently houses an auto shop, would be transformed into a park to augment the outdoor area of the new Gene Friend Recreation Center.
“Planning for new open spaces in our community isn’t just about adding parks, it’s about creating inclusive, accessible areas where residents can connect with nature and one another. Extending outdoor recreation right next to a renovated Gene Friend Rec Center will enhance our neighborhood’s health, safety, and overall quality of life,” said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “I am excited to witness the positive impact this will have on our South of Market community.”
Recreation and Park Commissioners on Thursday will vote on a resolution to recommend acquisition of the property, which includes a two-story building that currently houses Euro Motorcars. The Department proposes spending $7.1 million from the Open Space Acquisition Fund to buy the property and remediate it. The voter-approved fund addresses the City’s growing need for open space. In the past decade, Rec and Park has opened new parks across San Francisco. Among them are In Chan Kajaal in the Mission District, Noe Valley Town Square, Guy Place Mini Park in SoMa, and Francisco Park. Brand new parks currently under construction include India Basin Shoreline Park in the Bayview and 11th and Natoma in SoMa.
“Bringing nature and outdoor recreation to SoMa is a matter of environmental justice,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “This vibrant neighborhood has endured more than its fair share of pollution and industry. It has a high density of children, communities of color, seniors, and people with disabilities—all of whom deserve access to high quality parks. We are thrilled to take the first steps.”
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors must approve both the funding and purchase of the 6th Street property.
The neighborhood has been prioritized by the City for focused investment and development. It has been designated as an Environmental Justice Community, meaning residents, often low-income and lacking access to healthcare, face significant environmental pollution. The neighborhood is also one of the three priority areas for acquisition recommended by the 2013 D6 Open Space Task Force.
If acquired, the new park would complement the $59 million renovation of the Eugene L. Friend Rec Center, which broke ground in February and will open in fall 2026. The new Gene Friend Rec Center will feature 50 percent more space for programming and recreation, a gymnasium with two full-size basketball courts, and a welcoming new entrance on Harriet Street.
Public outreach to shape the new park area’s design and features would begin sometime after Gene Friend Rec Center reopens. The new space would offer amenities different from those at Gene Friend and nearby Victoria Manalo Draves Park. Potential features would be based on community input, but could include a picnic lawn, dog play area, or other recreational facilities.
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