Welcome to your India Basin Newsletter for April

Welcome to the latest newsletter for the India Basin Waterfront Park Project, a partnership between the Trust for Public Land, San Francisco Parks Alliance, A. Philip Randolph Institute, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, and the Bayview-Hunters Point community.

The project is environmental justice in action and aims to build a park that is both spectacular and crucial to the health of San Francisco’s southeast communities with an emphasis on public access, social equity, waterfront recreation, resiliency to sea level rise, and habitat and wetland restoration and enhancement.

The proposed plan combines the existing India Basin Shoreline Park area and 900 Innes property into India Basin Waterfront Park, one grand 10-acre waterfront park development that closes a critical gap in the San Francisco Bay Trail. The property is also the mid-point of the one and a half-mile-long India Basin shoreline, which is comprised of seven properties totaling 64 acres, six of seven of which are in some stage of development. As such, there is a unique opportunity to design these properties so that the India Basin shoreline becomes a seamless waterfront park experience on a grand scale.

In this newsletter, you'll receive regular updates on the project's construction, its Equitable Development Plan, and invitations to events and happenings around the project.

News & Announcements

Frisco Fridays at India Basin Shoreline Park on April 26

Family Equity Partners and the India Basin Waterfront Park project partners are proud to bring Frisco Fridays to India Basin Shoreline Park (Hunters Point Boulevard and Hawes Street) to continue this event series in 2024. Join us for the next one on Friday, April 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the park, which will feature a fashion show by the event vendors. Come out for a fun-filled evening of music, food, games, children activities, community vibes and plenty of green space to enjoy.

This series is a partnership made possible through the India Basin Waterfront Park Equitable Development Plan (EDP). Outlined in the plan are the strategies to use the physical spaces and park programming to build community cohesion and social capital and to support Bayview-Hunters Point commercial corridors beyond the park.

For more information, click the link below.

EcoCenter's 14th Anniversary & Earth Month Celebration on April 27

Celebrate Earth Month and the EcoCenter's (32 Jennings Street) 14th Anniversary on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn from community-based organizations, get your hands dirty in a volunteer project, and enjoy free games, activities, workshops, refreshments and more.

Additionally, the San Francisco Parks Alliance will be hosting its rescheduled Heart Your Park screen printing pop-up as a part of the celebration. They will be providing live jazz music and free beverages by Guayaki, as well as the limited edition Heart Your Parks print for Heron's Head Park.

For more information and to RSVP, click the link below.

Camp Mather 100th Anniversary Kick Off Event on April 28

Join Rec and Park and the Friends of Camp Mather for a kickoff of the camp's upcoming 100th anniversary season on Sunday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Southeast Community Center (1550 Evans Avenue)

Camp Mather is a summer tradition for generations of San Francisco families. Located in the Sierra Nevada near Yosemite National Park, Camp Mather offers city residents a unique weeklong

outdoor experience, with activities including horseback riding, swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, a ropes course, tennis, archery, campfire talent shows and more. 

This free event will offer participants a taste of camp, including a meet-and-greet with staff, entertainment, a historical presentation, and camp activities including archery, disc golf, a climbing wall, and more. A food truck will also be on hand to purchase snacks and refreshments.

Join us in celebrating the upcoming summer camp season as we look forward to making more memories at Mather! For more information, click the link below.

APRI's Resilient Youth Leadership Academy, Application Party May 1

The A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) is looking for District 10 youth, ages 15 to 18 and attending high school in San Francisco, to apply for its Resilient Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA). The academy is an 8-week paid internship that emphasizes professional skill building and increased awareness of the role young people play in civic leadership. Apply at the link below.

Need help applying? Swing by the application party at APRI (1301 Evans Avenue) on Wednesday, May 1 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. There will be free food and raffle prizes! RSVP at this link.

Questions? Contact Sophia by phone at (415) 821-4777 or at stupuola.aprisf@gmail.com.

RYLA PSA: Know What to do in Heat Wave, Sign up for AlertSF

Want to get the vibe around the Resilient Youth Leadership Academy? Check out last year's class and its public service announcement video they made with support of the India Basin Waterfront Park project partners!

The interns scripted a video to spread awareness on what to do in Bayview-Hunters Point when there's a heat wave in the neighborhood, encouraging everyone to sign up for AlertSF to stay up-to-date when there's an extreme weather event or other emergency. With the sun finally coming out in 2024, be sure to sign up at the link below!

Community Innovation Lab Open for Spring and Summer

The Community Innovation Lab at India Basin Shoreline Park (Hunters Point Boulevard and Hawes Street) is now open. Its current hours are noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, offering services such as free rentals of sports equipment and recreational activities. Additionally, it provides space for community organizations to host their programming, workshops, networking events, and more. It's also a great place to just drop-in, relax and take in the beautiful view of the bay!

Interested in utilizing this space? Contact the facility manager Louie Mezie at (415) 821-4777 or by email at cillabinfo@gmail.com.

Hip Hop in the Park Initiative Kicks Off

Hip Hop for Change (HH4C) kicked off its Hip Hop in the Park Initiative at the Community Innovation Lab in India Basin Shoreline Park last weekend. The program is supported by a grant from the San Francisco Foundation, in partnership with the California Arts Council.

Youth participants from Bayview-Hunters Point are working on MCing, DJing/Beatmaking, Graffiti, Dance, and Hip Hop Fashion this spring, with the program culminating in an event at the park this summer where participants will show off their new skills! Stay tuned for an event date.

Learn more about the Hip Hop in the Park Initiative at the link below.

Free Financial Coaching for BVHP Community

As part of the India Basin Waterfront Park Project’s Equitable Development Plan, free, one-on-one financial coaching is available to the Bayview-Hunters Point community! Rec and Park has partnered with the San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment to offer Smart Money Coaching to anyone who lives, works, studies, or receives services in the neighborhood. 

Smart Money Coaches focus on supporting clients to open safe and affordable bank accounts, establish and build emergency funds, manage debt, and establish and build their credit. Coaches are available to provide sessions in Spanish and Cantonese, along with English; and coaching is available to all, regardless of immigration status.

To make an appointment, call (877) 256-0073 or click the link below.

India Basin Waterfront Park Event Wrap up from March

Thank you to everyone who came out to India Basin Waterfront Park events this past month. Despite some wet weather, which moved the first Frisco Friday to Joseph Lee Recreation Center, we were thrilled to see the community out in strength rain or shine!

A special thanks to the Only Loud Squad, which held its Spring Fest pop up market last month that India Basin Shoreline Park. The Only Loud Squad has been hosting this series of markets since last year, which has featured local small businesses from Bayview-Hunters Point. A big thanks to this group for helping to build community in the park! Watch their Spring Fest highlight video from the A. Philip Randolph Institute at the link below.

ABC7: Transforming Toxic Areas into Thriving Community Spaces

In honor of Earth Day, check out ABC7's coverage of the India Basin Waterfront Park project. It not only highlights the restoration work we've done at this future park site, but the project's workforce development program, which trained and placed local Bayview-Hunters Point residents in construction jobs, including working on the park. Watch the full piece at the link below.

The Workforce Development program is an initiative of the project's Equitable Development Plan, following the strategy to provide Bayview-Hunters Point residents training and professional development opportunities through construction and operation of the park.

India Basin Construction Update

Construction at 900 Innes Avenue continues to hum along despite the wet weather. We've completed the meticulous task of stenciling for the Lady Bayview art piece, with artist Raylene Gorum reviewing the work. Additional progress in the past month includes building out the interiors of the park's buildings; framing the walls of Shipwright's Cottage; completing the handrails and continuing to install lighting on the piers; and excavating and installing the retaining walls. We also anticipate beginning the demolition of Shipwright's Cottage's roof in the near future.

Stay tuned for more updates at the link below.

Upcoming Events and Activities

3rd Annual Hospitality and Small Business Hiring Fair May 1

Looking for a job in hospitality? The San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development is hosting its 3rd annual hospitality and small business hiring fair at the San Francisco Ferry Building's (1 Ferry Building) front plaza on Wednesday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. More than 50 employers with hundreds of career opportunities will be on hand to meet with job seekers. Positions include roles with hotels, restaurants, security and retail. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below.

APRI Job Fair at Southeast Community Center on May 15

Save the date! Join the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) for its next job fair on Wednesday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southeast Community Center (1550 Evans Avenue). Meet local employers looking to hire including government agencies, local businesses, community based organizations, and more. Please dress business casual and bring copies of your resume. Stay up to date at APRI's Instagram at the link below or contact Chika Mezie by email at chikamezieaprisf@gmail.com or by phone at (415) 821-4777.

Programs

Giants Community Fund & Rec & Park's Baseball & Softball Academy

The Giants Community Fund is partnering with Rec and Park for the second year of their competitive baseball and softball academy beginning this summer. The goal of this academy is to grow baseball and softball in San Francisco’s underserved communities through free programming for middle and high school athletes. Team equipment and uniforms are provided, while head coaches and umpires are paid for by the Giants Community Fund.

Pitchers and catchers will report on Saturday, June 1, with practices beginning the week of June 10. The first games will be held at Balboa Park's (1 Sgt John V Young Lane) baseball and softball diamond on Saturday, June 15 with the championship game on August 3.

Additionally, each Saturday will feature various speakers who will talk with participants and provide insight on their careers in the sports industry and beyond. For more information and to sign up, click the link below.

Interested in coaching at the academy? Click this link for more information on coaching positions and to apply.

Register for the Junior Giants Summer League

Registration for Junior Giants, a free, co-ed baseball and softball summer league for ages 5 to 13, is open! The league features lessons on confidence, teamwork, leadership and integrity.

Practices for Rec and Park's program will begin the week of June 10 at sites throughout San Francisco. Games will be held on Saturdays at Crocker Amazon Park (799 Moscow Street) from June 15 through August 3. There will be no practices or games the week of July 1.

Additionally, be sure to check out the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco's Hunters Point Jr. Giants program. For more information and to register, click the link below.

Questions? Email sfrpd.jrgiants@sfgov.org.

San Francisco Brown Bombers Hosting Free Football Clinics

Get ready for football season with the San Francisco Brown Bombers, a youth football/cheerleading organization that has been a community pillar for more than 20 years. The team practices out of Youngblood Coleman Playground (1400 Hudson Avenue) in Bayview-Hunters Point and is currently hosting free football skills clinics there on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. For more information, click the link below. 

Explore and Learn at the EcoCenter in Heron's Head Park on April 30

Join EcoCenter staff and community partners for the free Explore and Learn program. It's a family friendly program for parents and children to connect with nature through stories and outdoor activities. Attendees will participate in live story telling and nature walks. For more information and to register for the next occurrence at Heron's Head Park (Jennings Street and Cargo Way) on Tuesday, April 30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., click the link below.

Additional questions? Call (415) 676-1394 or email ecocenterhhp@sfgov.org. 

The Box Shop Open House on May 12

Join the Box Shop (951 Hudson Avenue) every second Sunday of the month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an open house. The next will take place on May 12! Tour this maker space and view the more than 130 murals hosted at this artist hub in Bayview-Hunters Point. For more information about this facility, click the link below. 

Swing into Stories at Hilltop Park on May 21

The San Francisco Public Library's (SFPL) YouthMobile is coming to the park. Movement and play are essential building blocks in fostering literacy and a love of reading and the SFPL is bringing stories and song to San Francisco's parks through its Swing into Stories program. It takes place at a different park each Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The next in Bayview-Hunters Point will take place on May 21 at Hilltop Park (Newcomb Avenue and Whitney Young Circle). Join us for a high-energy storytime in our beautiful outdoors! 

The YouthMobile offers a diverse selection of children’s library materials available for check-out with an SFPL library card. From the city’s only kid-focused bookmobile, staff circulates materials, creates library cards and provides the public with information about library services and programs. For more information and the Swing into Stories schedule, click the link below.