Hello, neighbors. We have several updates to share since our last update in April.

1) On May 16, Rec and Park Commission approved a second construction contract amendment to extend the construction duration to allow completion by early Fall 2024. The staff report related to this Commission action can be found here: Esprit Park Renovation – Contract Amendment.

We are pushing to re-open the park by the end of September. We will continue to be in touch with updates as we hone in on project completion and park re-opening dates.

2) Construction was paused recently to address contractor questions about soil compaction as we prepare the subbase for the path that weaves around existing trees along Indiana Street. The intent of this was to ensure that we are limiting disturbance to roots of existing trees. Now that those questions have been addressed, we anticipate a larger crew will mobilize next week, and the contractor will complete site grading and move forward with planting, electrical and lighting work, irrigation system finalization, and pathway installation.

3) Other key updates since last month:

• The three trees that we told you in our update last month would be removed – a beech, a poplar, and a sycamore – have now been removed. These three trees were not in good condition prior to the start of construction, and we deemed it prudent to remove and replace them now, as part of the renovation. A certified biologist verified that there was no bird nesting activity before any tree work began. Planting of new trees has begun
• Contractor team began framing the wood boardwalk deck. You can see the framing coming together for the built-in bench, facing the dog play area meadow (see photo below)
• Contractor team increased tree watering due to warm, dry conditions using impact sprinklers, soaker hoses, and water buffalo. The contractor team is also working to complete the electrical work on the permanent irrigation system, which will benefit the park’s trees once it’s operational
• Contractor team has excavated along the 20th Street frontage in preparation for installation of a storage container in that area

We know that the extended delay to the park’s reopening is frustrating. We’re working very hard to ensure that this curb-to-curb park renovation is done very well – in a way that will benefit the community for years and years to come.

More than the usual share of unforeseen complications have arisen on this project – we’ve worked through each of them and are cataloguing our notes to streamline the delivery of future capital projects.

We partner with Public Works for construction management and administration of our construction contracts, and we are working with them now on an evaluation of our contractor’s performance on this project as well.

Thanks again for your support of this project.

Melinda Sullivan, melinda.sullivan@sfgov.org, 628-652-6648.

For more information, visit our Esprit Park Renovation Project webpage.

Photos: Adult exercise equipment; Framing for boardwalk deck and bench.