Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group Award

By Barbara Wenger

The Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group (HVNPG) is being recognized for excellence by the Neighborhood Parks Council at its annual awards ceremony at Mission Bay Center on Tuesday, May 23, 2006. Mayor Gavin Newsom will present the group with an award and $2,500 for their efforts.

HVNPG began in 1994 at the same time the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association took root. It is an ethnically and economically diverse group of dedicated stakeholders committed to fostering neighborhood participation, pride and environmental stewardship for the parks and recreation areas in the Hayes Valley-Western Addition of San Francisco. It seeks to empower all residents, youth and their families to be healthy and safe and to positively impact their communities. The HVNPG has catalyzed a community around four different mixed-use parks, three community gardens and a recreation center and playground. The four parks are Rose-Page Mini Park, Hayes Green, Hayes Valley Playground & Clubhouse and Koshland Park.

The HVNPG programs highlight the neighborhood’s diversity with a focus on recreation, youth and adult education, safety, health, nutrition and environmental awareness. Some of these HVNPG programs include the BEETS-Brigade of Environmental Educator Teens, Parks-Connect monthly workdays, workshops and celebrations, Environmental Adventures Program, the Koshland Park Peace Tile Mural Project, the LetUsGrow-2006 Program and the John Muir Green Schoolyard Transformation. Future projects include developing a team of youth to become Eco Rangers for all our Hayes Valley parks, and a Watershed Wilderness Summer Program.

Some of the many Hayes Valley Neighborhood Group Stakeholders at a recent work day.
Photo by Barbara Wenger

HVNPG began as a response to the crime and violence that were embedded in the parks and neighborhood, when residents were disconnected and disenfranchised. It reached out to the community, surrounding businesses, churches and community based organization to encourage park stewardship. The park stakeholders became well-informed partners with City departments, and funding agencies. Not only did these park advocates take back the parks from drug dealers and prostitutes, they have been able to secure over 2.5 million dollars to design and renovate two parks and to develop programs that build stewardship. Today Hayes Valley is one of the most diverse, vibrant, and transformed areas of the City. HVNPG helped create this wave of renaissance.

The HVNPG has created an oasis of beauty and community stewardship in San Francisco that is second to none. Please join us in honoring them! If you would like to attend the luncheon, get involved in the parks or make a donation, please contact: hvnparks@hotmail.com. The Tides Center (Fed ID# 94-3213100) is the fiscal sponsor of the HVNPG.