This public art project, on exhibition at Cell Space in September, is the start of a large-scale urban earthwork that involves replacing sidewalks with native plant life to establish a connective greenbelt between the Mission District’s two largest parks: Franklin Square Park and Dolores Park.
The greenbelt will be a narrow landscaped strip running east west through neighborhoods now lacking public green spaces. On the whole, the self-supporting native plants will thrive, as they have evolved for thousands of years to suit San Francisco’s semi-arid climate. Also, the permeable soil will absorb rainwater otherwise headed for the sewage treatment plant, which, during heavy rains, overflows into the Bay. Visually, the greenbelt will be reminiscent of the now landfill-covered Mission Creek with a stream of planted vegetation separating pedestrians from cars.
Aspects of the project, including interviews with local residents, San Francisco natural history and project proposals will be available to the public at a reading table installed in the gallery. As part of the exhibition, on Saturday, September 22nd, there will be a public awareness campaign and tour of the proposed Mission Greenbelt. Volunteers will meet at Cell Space at noon for a brief training on the Sidewalk Landscaping Permit, a recently passed San Francisco legislation that allows property owners to replace sidewalks with plant life, and how to use this new opportunity to grow the Mission Greenbelt. Volunteers will then walk as a group from Franklin Square Park to Dolores Park talking with residents about what they’ve learned. The campaign and exhibition will generate momentum in the neighborhood; it will encourage dialogue and questions; and it will inspire residents to take the urban earthwork into their own hands by replacing sidewalks where they live, work or do business.
Aspects of the project, including interviews with local residents, San Francisco natural history and project proposals will be available to the public at a reading table installed in the gallery. As part of the exhibition, on Saturday, September 22nd, there will be a public awareness campaign and tour of the proposed Mission Greenbelt. Volunteers will meet at Cell Space at noon for a brief training on the Sidewalk Landscaping Permit, a recently passed San Francisco legislation that allows property owners to replace sidewalks with plant life, and how to use this new opportunity to grow the Mission Greenbelt. Volunteers will then walk as a group from Franklin Square Park to Dolores Park talking with residents about what they’ve learned. The campaign and exhibition will generate momentum in the neighborhood; it will encourage dialogue and questions; and it will inspire residents to take the urban earthwork into their own hands by replacing sidewalks where they live, work or do business.