Carolina Street Greenspace
Cathryn Blum has diligently researched, planned, and acquired garden furniture for the garden area, developing the best layout for neighbors to enjoy the green space.
About Carolina Street Greenspace
The Carolina Street Greenspace on Potrero Hill in San Francisco has a history rooted in community effort and the neighborhood’s changing landscape. Here’s a look at its evolution:
Early 20th Century: The area that is now the Carolina Street Greenspace was once part of a larger, undeveloped area of Potrero Hill. In the early 1900s, the Santa Fe Railroad significantly reshaped the eastern side of Potrero Hill to lay down tracks. This excavation, around 1903, removed a large portion of the hill from the area east of Iowa Street, extending south towards 22nd and Missouri Streets. The resulting dirt and rock were used as fill in the marshlands between Iowa and Massachusetts Streets.
Mid-20th Century: The area along Carolina Street, between 22nd and 23rd Streets, appears to have been a vegetated median strip dividing the street. Historical photos from the 1920s and 1930s show a wide, planted area in the center of Carolina Street.
Late 20th Century: Over time, the maintenance of this median strip likely fell under the city’s responsibility, but perhaps resources dwindled. By the late 2010s, the space had become less inviting.
22016-Present The Community Takes Action: In late 2016, a group of neighbors on Potrero Hill established the Carolina Green Space, a volunteer initiative. Their goal was to revitalize the large median on Carolina Street between 22nd and 23rd Streets, recognizing it as one of the largest vegetated islands in San Francisco. They aimed to transform what had become a neglected space into a beautiful, safe green area for the community and visitors.
The Carolina Green Space group has been actively working to improve the safety and aesthetics of the median. Their efforts likely involve landscaping, planting, and general upkeep to create an inviting gathering spot. They have collaborated with organizations such as the San Francisco Park Alliance and received funding through community grants for their “Skyline Terrace” project, which aims to revamp the space.
Therefore, the Carolina Street Greenspace isn’t a traditional park with a long official history but rather a community-led initiative to reclaim and enhance a public space within the existing street infrastructure of Potrero Hill. It reflects the neighborhood’s desire for green spaces and residents’ influence in shaping their local environment.