Board authorizes agreement with Francisco Parks Conservancy to develop Reservoir site into new park

The Board authorized the Recreation and Park Department to enter into an agreement with the Francisco Parks Conservancy to fund, design and steward a new park on the former Francisco Reservoir site — a 4.5‑acre property in Russian Hill that the city had previously acquired.

Supervisor Mark Farrell, sponsor of the ordinance, said the Conservancy — modeled on New York’s Central Park Conservancy — has gathered neighborhood support and pledged both in‑kind construction services estimated at about $25 million and annual maintenance grants projected at roughly $150,000. The ordinance authorizes the department to accept and expend these gifts and grants, and amends park code to designate the new park as an alcohol‑prohibited site.

The Conservancy will fund design and capital construction and provide ongoing stewardship while Rec and Park will operate and maintain the park once complete; the ordinance also authorizes Rec and Park to accept future gifts and to move forward with community design meetings and Rec and Park Commission approval.

The measure passed unanimously on first reading.

Why it matters: The project converts a large, city‑owned parcel into a neighborhood park with a public‑private stewardship model intended to provide capital and maintenance funding while preserving public ownership and operation through Rec and Park.

Outcome: Ordinance passed unanimously on first reading; Rec and Park to proceed to community design and Rec and Park Commission review before construction.