It's a breath of fresh air for South of Market (SoMa), as the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously gave the green light to expand local park space by acquiring a new property. Located at 240 6th Street, the 9,625-square-foot area currently houses an auto shop that will be transformed into a new park tied to the Gene Friend Recreation Center next door. The approval was announced on Tuesday, and the project is a significant nod to a neighborhood needing more greenery and open spaces.

Funded through the Open Space Acquisition Fund, the purchase totals $7.1 million, including the environmental remediation of the property. However, the plan doesn't stop at just buying the land; it weaves into a much larger $59 million renovation of the Gene Friend Recreation Center. The property will greatly enhance the outdoor options for residents in this densely packed urban area, allowing more recreational and relaxation activities. “Securing this property for public use is a tremendous win for SoMa residents,” said Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.

Following the acquisition, the property will undergo remediation to make it safe for public use. The Rec and Park department has indicated that their timeline includes public outreach for the park's design after the reopening of the Gene Friend Recreation Center, slated for fall of 2026. This effort is a part of the city's larger commitment to increasing accessible outdoor space in SoMa, a neighborhood recognized for its environmental justice concerns and pressing need for open space.

Advocates for more green space in SoMa are celebrating the move. "SoMa is the neighborhood with the least amount of open space and a super dense population.  Any and every inch of public open space we can add to our community has a benefit that's exponentially more valuable compared to other neighborhoods.  We are so excited for this renovation project and for the future of open space in SoMa," said Misha Olivas, director of community and family engagement for United Playaz, as cited by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. The initiative reflects a broader city-wide strategy that has created areas like In Chan Kaajal in the Mission District and Guy Place Mini Park in SoMa, with more parks like India Basin Waterfront Park and Rachele Sullivan Park in the pipeline.