On Saturday, Mayor Breed inaugurated the city’s latest public space, Panorama Park, on the Yerba Buena Island. This development is a testament to the island's - and perhaps the greater city's - ongoing transformation, promising a brighter future with its blend of natural beauty, community spaces, and urban living.
Per the City of San Francisco, the swanky Panorama Park opens up with grandeur, providing 360-degree panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay. Nestled at the highest point of Yerba Buena Island, this park is part of a larger initiative to revamp the former naval base on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island into a vibrant neighborhood. This ambitious project envisions the creation of 8,000 new homes, 300 acres of parks, trails, and open space, alongside new businesses, educational facilities, and public art installations.
At the heart of Panorama Park is the iconic Point of Infinity sculpture by Hiroshi Sugimoto, which stands as a beacon of artistic and architectural marvel. "San Francisco is home to the best parks and open spaces in the world and Panorama Park, with its spectacular views and world-class art installation, is a clear indication that the transformation of Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island is well underway," Mayor Breed remarked at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The park's unveiling follows the passage of crucial legislation spearheaded by Mayor Breed, which seeks to propel the Treasure Island development into its next phase. This legislation, according to reports from CBS Bay Area, ensures the continuation of this monumental development effort, focusing on the addition of 1,300 residences—250 of which are earmarked as affordable housing.
Panorama Park's design, led by Bay Area architect Walter J. Hood, integrates the area's natural and historical elements seamlessly. The park revives the site of a historic water tank through its innovative landscape architecture, offering a serene escape with its elevated walkways, grassy expanses speckled with wildflowers, and majestic Monterey Cypress trees framing the artwork.
The development of Panorama Park and the broader Treasure Island project are not just about creating new public spaces but also about fostering new communities and addressing San Francisco’s acute housing needs. As the San Francisco Chronicle notes, this initiative is a key move in the city’s struggle against housing shortages, aiming to add valuable residential units to the Bay Area’s housing market.
Adjacent to Panorama Park, the development includes several other park projects on Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island, like Signal Point and The Rocks Dog Park, adding to the green footprint of the city. These spaces, designed to be both sustainable and accessible, showcase San Francisco’s commitment to creating a harmonious blend of urban living and natural beauty.
With Panorama Park now open to the public, San Francisco takes a significant step forward in transforming Yerba Buena and Treasure Island into a coveted neighborhood that balances innovative urban development with the preservation and celebration of natural landscapes. It stands as a model for future developments, emphasizing the importance of community, sustainability, and beauty in urban planning.
