Palou Phelps Park

This project is a collaboration between Friends of Palou Phelps Park and San Francisco Recreation and Parks.

Together with our partners, we are working to preserve some and reintroduce other native plants to this site.

Volunteers meet every month to restore habitat around the playground and along the hillside.

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 and Friends of Palou Phelps, an advocacy group, are working with city agencies to improve public access and save the park.

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 at 1801 Palou Avenue.

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.

Additional Resources

  1. Palou Phelps Park on iNaturalist

 

Community workdays at Palou Phelps Park are every 1st Saturday of the month. Visit our calendar to RSVP to the next one!