Southeast San Francisco, California

Palou Phelps Park

Palou Phelps Park is a rare native wildflower grassland, an endangered ecosystem in the US. Today one third of the park is under threat of building development. However, Nature in the City (NTC) and Friends of Palou Phelps, an advocacy group, are working with City agencies to improve public access and save the park. We are encouraged! NTC won a Community Challenge Grant of $100,000! With this grant we are stewarding walkable trails, new plants and much more!

Curious? Download the iNaturalist app! Help our citizen science efforts by discovering new species and adding your own observations to the Palou Phelps project.

 
 

Project Details

 

What is Palou Phelps Park?

A rare native wildflower grassland and a community garden. The Park, on the Western side of Palou Avenue, is lush with native plants that attract pollinators. With the extraordinary spirit (and sweat) of local neighbor volunteers working with NTC, the ongoing restoration of both sites has resulted in wildlife habitat and new neighborhood friendships.

The City of San Francisco partially owns this open space, and it is partially privately owned. It is managed by San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and managed under its auspices by the Natural Areas Program. However, three different landowners and developers privately own seven lots in this park.

Where is Palou Phelps Park?

In the heart of Bayview Hunter’s Point, Southeastern San Francisco

Why is Palou Phelps Park important?

This wildflower grassland ecosystem is under threat of building development. To ensure our region's biodiversity, preserving and restoring this two-and-a-half-acre park is crucial. With its rolling grassland, native plants, and hilltop views of the city, this is a San Francisco treasure for native species—and people.

The park is a neighborhood gathering place with play areas for kids and is a hub for locals to enjoy movie nights and to make plans for advocacy next steps. 

What is our goal for Palou Phelps Park?

In collaboration with Friends of Palou Phelps, we have identified five objectives for our environmental advocacy.

The overarching goal is for Palou Phelps Park to be owned by the City and managed as wild native grassland by the Recreation and Parks Department. The transfer of ownership to the City of San Francisco will:

  1. Conserve open space forever by permanently eliminating the threat of development  

  2. Allow public access to the site by creating recreational trails

  3. Facilitate restoration work on the entire hill to revive the ecosystem

  4. Support volunteer workdays and events that empower the community

  5. Use the space for educational and vocational training for local students at San Francisco City College, TM Academy High School, and Thurgood Marshall Middle School

How can I take part?

Your participation supports our environmental advocacy success. Check out our MeetUp calendar to see dates for our ecological restoration work days, and email amelia@natureinthecity.org to participate. Volunteers are always welcome: join us just once or become a regular.

We'll take you along our environmental advocacy process, connecting you with energetic neighbors interested in preserving nature while learning about nature, weeding, and planting. 

 

Nature in the City Map Snapshot

A rare parcel of native land that we're actively working to conserve, Palou Phelps Park is located in the southeast corner of San Francisco.

 

Address

1801 Palou Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124