Committee backs UCSF-backed Esprit Park renovation, forwards grants to full Board

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee on April 28 voted to forward two resolutions to the full Board recommending acceptance of UCSF funding and a related in‑kind design grant for the Esprit Park renovation in the Dogpatch neighborhood.

Rec and Park project manager Nathan Sinclair said the renovation aims to refresh the nearly 40‑year‑old park with ADA‑compliant paths, new plantings and seating, exercise stations and separate off‑leash and dog‑free spaces. "This project was made possible thanks to a generous $5,000,000 funding commitment from UCSF," Sinclair said, adding that $835,000 of that commitment would be granted to the Dogpatch and Northwest Potrero Hill Green Benefit District to provide design services and $4,165,000 would be a cash grant to Rec and Park for construction.

A Sevin Campbell of the Budget and Legislative Analyst's office had no separate report for item 1 but the office recommended the committee approve the measures. Public commenters included Ami Alden, UCSF's director of local and state government relations, who expressed UCSF's support and said the university is "very pleased to have supported the neighborhood and Rec and Parks to revitalize Esprit Park." Neighbors also voiced support: "We are super excited to see this project move ahead," a Dogpatch resident said.

Chair Matt Haney moved to forward items 1 and 2 to the full Board with a positive recommendation; the committee recorded roll‑call votes from Supervisors Asha Safaei, Gordon Marr and Matt Haney (three ayes). The items will appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda on May 4 unless otherwise stated.

The committee record shows the city also plans to allocate roughly $2.7 million from Eastern Neighborhood development impact fees toward the project; Rec and Park said it expects to begin construction next year and complete the work in 2023.