1996: Park group coalition established
• NPC was founded by Isabel Wade. It was started as a project under an umbrella non-profit organization, Urban Resource Systems.
• Began regular meetings with eight park groups providing volunteers for park maintenance (Today the coalition includes 129 groups.)
• Began research and publication of more than 39 park histories.
1997: Community Park Task Force launched
• Created a citizens task force with San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Council (SPUR) involving 200 civic and community leaders, elected officials, and Recreation and Park Department management.
• Began publishing Parks Report newsletter.
1998: Published and distributed the Parks Plan
• Task Force Action Plan became the guiding document for both the public and the Recreation and Park Department in implementing needed management changes.
1999: Prepared a budget analysis of the RPD budget and presented to Recreation and Park Commission and Department
• Analysis indicated that program and service priorities were devoted to revenue-generating activities — thereby shortchanging no-fee services such as neighborhood parks.
2000: Spearheaded ‘Parks Package’ on March 2000 ballot
• Drafted two ballot measures for parks (Propositions A & C) and coordinated the campaign (raising $250,000) to pass a $110 million bond and the renewal (for 30 years) of the Open Space Fund.
2001: District Park Planning program established
• Created a monthly forum in each Supervisor District under a grant from the Board of Supervisors to encourage planning and joint problem solving between the Recreation and Park Department and the public.
2002: Playground Campaign & ParkScan.org started
• Published recreation guide for District 11.
• Organized Crocker Amazon community to build their own playground, saving over $350,000+ in construction costs for the city.
• Began development of the ParkScan.org program to hold the city accountable for park maintenance, and to direct limited city resources.
2003: Co-sponsored Proposition C to require maintenance standards for parks and posting of staff schedules at each park
• This proposition has resulted in the development of park maintenance standards and posting of staff schedules on the RPD website. Bi-annual survey monitors implementation.
2004: Published Green Envy Report
• Completed a two-year study on the critical gaps in San Francisco’s open space system with recommendations for policy changes and action.
• Developed monthly e-news and park calendar.
2005: Launched Blue Greenway Initiative
• NPC’s advocacy for the Blue Greenway, a waterfront trail along the Bay shoreline, spurred Mayor Newsom to create a Task Force.
• Improvements along the first mile of the Blue Greenway were celebrated at a launch in June, 2006.
• Established Annual Stewardship awards.
2006: ParkScan.org program rolled out nationally; Playground Campaign started Report Card
• The ParkScan.org program was launched nationally, with presentations in Oakland, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago
• Established annual playground maintenance report for each of the city’s 144 playgrounds.
2009: NPC obtains its own 501© 3 status.
