MEDIA RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the San Francisco Planning Department invites residents and the media to attend the Green Connections open house on Wednesday, December 4th. The open house will unveil the final Green Connections Network map, design toolkit, streetscape conceptual designs, and an implementation plan for Green Connections’ vision of 115 miles of walking and biking paths connecting neighborhoods to parks, open spaces, and the waterfront.

“Our goal is to better connect San Francisco residents with nature and public green spaces within their communities,” said San Francisco Planning Director John Rahaim. “After two years of working closely with community-based organizations and residents, we are thrilled to release the final map and plan for Green Connections.

Since 2012, the Planning Department focused on a number of community events and collected public comments to develop the Green Connections citywide network and streetscape designs in six neighborhoods: Bayview, Chinatown, Potrero Hill, Tenderloin, Visitacion Valley, and Western Addition. The program includes a network of 24 walking and biking routes that will be improved over time. The public is invited to view all routes at the open house:

Final Green Connections Open House
Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: San Francisco LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street, San Francisco

The Green Connections program 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.

“We’re excited to see the City working on plans and programs that will improve pathways to open spaces,” said Matthew O’Grady, executive director of San Francisco Parks Alliance. “Green Connections is a great example of a program where community members are involved in the process. As part of this effort, we have been working closely with the Planning Department to ensure that the pathways to green open space meet the neighborhood needs for generations to come.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate the Final Green Connections Plan, and eager to see projects come to life as Walk SF continues to partner with the City to create more enjoyable places to walk,” said Walk San Francisco Executive Director, Nicole Schneider. “As a smart solution to multiple problems--including walkability, access to parks, pedestrian safety, and the urban ecology--Green Connections serves as a model of a successful planning effort.”

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

For more information about Green Connections, visit http://greenconnections.sfplanning.org.

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Media Contact: Candace SooHoo
415.575.9157 | candace.soohoo@sfgov.org