SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the San Francisco Planning Department released a map featuring over 140 miles of ‘green connectors’– special streets and paths linking pedestrians, cyclists and wildlife to parks and other open spaces throughout the city.



“Every San Francisco household is within half a mile of a green connection with most living just a quarter mile away,” said Planning Director, John Rahaim. “Implementing this network over the next 20 years will better connect individuals and their families to enjoy natural areas and public amenities in their community.”



The map includes a network of 25 unique routes that would be improved over time. The name for each route includes a geographic reference and a target species associated with the route -Marina Green to Dolores Park: West Coast Painted Lady, China Beach to Bay: Pygmy Nuthatch, and Presidio to Bay: Monarch.



Following the release of these materials, the program will begin a community based planning process to develop a Green Connection streetscape design  in Bayview, Chinatown, Potrero Hill, Tenderloin, Visitacion Valley, and Western Addition. In addition to supporting active transportation, the design concepts will focus on landscaping, enhancing wildlife habitat, managing stormwater and calming traffic. 



Since February, the ‘Green Connections’ program held a number of public events and collected hundreds of public comments to help create the network. All are invited to view and comment on the draft map at the LGBT Community Center on 1800 Market Street today from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. A design toolkit will also be available for viewing.



Green Connections is a collaborative effort between the San Francisco Planning Department, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, San Francisco Department of Public Health and the Mayor’s Office of Housing.  The City agencies have also partnered with three community-based organizations: San Francisco Parks Alliance, Walk San Francisco and Nature in the City. 



The project is funded by a $633,000 planning grant from the State of California Strategic Growth Council.



For information on the project and to view the draft map, visit http://greenconnections.sfplanning.org.







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Media Contact: Joanna Linsangan



415.575.9119 | joanna.linsangan@sfgov.org