Project Overview: Pennsylvania Street Gardens
Location: 251 Pennsylvania Avenue at 18th Street, San Francisco, CA (Potrero Hill)
Website: pennsylvaniagarden.blogspot.com
Instagram: psgsf
Pennsylvania Street Gardens is a community-driven urban greening initiative that has transformed neglected, industrial-adjacent land into a vibrant public sanctuary. Situated in the Potrero Hill neighborhood, the project serves as a model for community stewardship, converting a former “no man’s land” under a freeway off-ramp into a flourishing corridor of native plants and drought-tolerant landscaping.
Pennsylvania Street Gardens
History and Vision
The project began in 2008 when local residents took the initiative to clean up and beautify a blighted Caltrans-owned parcel. What started as a small-scale effort by neighbors Annie Shaw and Matt Greco quickly expanded into a formalized nonprofit organization. Today, the project encompasses two primary locations: the original Pennsylvania Garden at 18th Street and the Pennsylvania Railroad Garden located a block away.
Core Objectives
- Neighborhood Revitalization: To replace trash-filled and neglected spaces with a safe, beautiful environment for pedestrians, commuters, and local wildlife.
- Environmental Sustainability: To showcase water-wise gardening by utilizing California native species and drought-tolerant plants that require minimal irrigation.
- Community Connection: To provide a peaceful meeting place for neighbors and volunteers, fostering social interaction through monthly workdays and community events.
- Education and Outreach: To teach residents about urban horticulture, native plant profiles, and the benefits of sustainable green infrastructure.
Project Impact
The gardens have successfully reclaimed nearly an acre and a half of urban land, providing essential habitat for local wildlife like the California Slender Salamander. Maintained entirely by volunteers in partnership with the Greening Projects, Public Works, and Caltrans, the project stands as a testament to the power of grassroots environmentalism in creating a healthier, more livable city.
Get Involved As a 100% volunteer-driven project, Pennsylvania Street Gardens relies on neighbor participation for weeding, pruning, and seasonal replanting. Public volunteer workdays are typically held on the first Saturday of every month.
Fiscal Sponsorship and Partnership
As the fiscal sponsor for the Pennsylvania Street Gardens, Greening Projects provides the administrative and financial framework necessary to sustain this grassroots effort. Our partnership allows the project to scale its impact through professional oversight.
- Financial Stewardship: We manage donations and grants dedicated to the site, ensuring transparency in how funds are used for seeds, tools, and infrastructure.
- Liability and Permitting: Greening Projects coordinates with city agencies to secure the necessary land-use permits and provides insurance coverage for all volunteer workdays.
- Technical Support: We provide access to horticultural expertise and specialized equipment, helping volunteer leads execute complex restoration tasks.
Help Us Grow a Greener, Healthier San Francisco
Connect with us on LinkedIn: Greening Projects