The recent 'Green' movement in San Francisco has inspired a recovery of paved spaces recreated as urban oases. The city of San Francisco along, with several pro bono designers, has begun to turn small paved intersections and parking spaces into artistic green spaces and sidewalk extensions. The official name for the city program is Pavement to Parks, which has created quite a stir within the local city community. The San Francisco Tourism Bureau hopes that the projects will add interest to neighborhoods and attract foot traffic to local businesses.
The small public open spaces add interest to areas that were once covered in pavement as well as create a larger outdoor seating area for restaurants and businesses. The program is funded by sponsors such as AT&T and volunteers. The proposed areas include 24th and Noe Street, Divisadero Street, 22nd Street, Columbus Avenue and Clement Street. All designs are donated by supporters of the program and most supplies are recycled or re-purposed. The overall idea of this project is to create a pedestrian friendly environment for residents and tourists, which Mayor Gavin Newsom intends to support by promising 12 more Pavement to Parks projects throughout the city by the end of the year.
