What is Open Space 2100?
Open Space 2100 is a multi-stakeholder initiative to develop a community-based open space vision and policies for San Francisco. San Francisco's predicted growth and density, combined with park and recreation facility shortages in many existing neighborhoods, requires an urgent assessment of where we stand now and the creation of a shared vision of where we want to be-- in order to promote an exceptional quality of urban life and a healthy lifestyle in every neighborhood. A successful initiative will engage city staff as well as the general public, guide and inform decision-making about open space acquisition and development, provide strategies for funding new parks and maintaining all parks, and create the framework for development of an Open Space Plan. It will ensure that open space continues to enhance the environmental, social, and economic well-being of our city.
Open Space 2100 will engage the general public in planning the green vision though city-wide public forums, neighborhood-level planning sessions, and a green lecture series. Our goal is to create a community-driven policy framework linked to a 100-year vision for great parks and public places in San Francisco.
Why is Open Space 2100 important?
Demographics and land use in San Francisco have changed dramatically over the past few decades. An open space plan—deeply grounded by public participation—will ensure that our city’s diverse neighborhoods have parks, recreation facilities, and other green spaces and elements that are critical for future needs. Without more aggressive policies to secure open space and an implementation strategy that includes funding and maintenance alternatives, San Francisco lacks the framework to effectively meet the needs for open space in the 21st century. It is crucially important to develop a strong network of stakeholders who can envision a greener future, secure the funding to realize the vision, and jointly devise creative maintenance strategies for existing and new parks and open spaces. Open Space 2100 will also address the existing gaps in San Francisco’s current open space network and will work to ensure that all San Franciscans have access to open space – with particular attention given to the historically underserved neighborhoods.
Developing the Vision
Open Space 2100 will include the following elements:
· 12-month multi-stakeholder, multi-agency Mayor’s Open Space Task Force;
· Media campaign to promote open space benefits;
· Neighborhood-level planning and engagement process;
· Website to broadcast events, sign-up for participation, provide information and data, and gather public input.
**All of these activities will help educate the public about our options for the future, and build a common vision for the common good**
Who is involved?
Open Space SF 2100 will bring together public agencies including the Mayor’s Office, the City Planning Department, the Recreation and Park Department, the Public Health Department, the Port, the Redevelopment Agency, the School District and other city agencies. In addition, others involved will include local business representatives, community and neighborhood leaders, experts in urban planning and design, developers, open space advocates, and the interested public.
What are the intended outcomes?
Open Space 2100 will catalyze a long-term focus on the value of San Francisco’s parks and open space system by raising public awareness and political impetus. This network of stakeholders will be instrumental in: modifying existing city policies to encourage quality open space development in every neighborhood; identifying critical opportunities and specific strategies to remedy existing deficiencies; creating a tool kit of possible maintenance and funding strategies; and establishing a broad-based interdisciplinary advocacy partnership to monitor and realize plan implementation. Open Space 2100 will create a strategic framework for the city to develop an Open Space Plan and implement it at the city-wide and neighborhood levels.
Next steps Open Space 2100 launched on November 15th, 2007 with the inaugural meeting of the Mayor's Open Space Task Force. The project is being facilitated by the Neighborhood Parks Council and SPUR. We are still looking for interested organizations and individuals to provide matching funding and resources for the $175,000 contributed by the City of San Francisco, the W & E Haas Fund, the Gerbode Foundation, and private donors – in order to carry out this important initiative.
Contact Information
Karin Edwards, Open Space 2100 CoordinatorPh: (415) 621-3260Email: kedwards@sfnpc.org
