Re-greening of SF’s Sunset Boulevard takes big step with $1.5M in state and local funding

An ambitious plan to transform a two-mile, 60-acre greenbelt along Sunset Boulevard took shape Monday when community members and public officials gathered to announce a $1.5 million investment in the project.

The combination city-state investment will improve access to public spaces along Sunset Boulevard corridor, according to San Francisco District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio, who helped spearhead the project.

Engardio recalled Sunset Bouelevard as it used to be, before decades of drought and deferred maintenance and broken irrigation pipes: bright, verdant, and green. He celebrated the project for the new liveliness it would infuse in the area.

“As visitors and residents decide to take this journey, they’re gonna need fuel for the journey, so they’re gonna discover along the way all the local businesses in the Sunset for their coffee and pastries and their picnic supplies,” he said. “People will know that this is a route to take to take in all of the beauty of San Francisco.”

The project also plans to use state funding on a recycled water project to reduce San Francisco’s reliance on imported fresh water and city funding to launch a maintenance and workforce training program in the area.

“Sunset Boulevard is just a massive amount of greenspace that needs investment and can provide so much for the community.” State Sen. Scott Wiener

State Sen. Scott Wiener said that as a frequent visitor of the area, he was excited to see the project reinvigorate the scenery.

“I’ve been coming to this area for many years, so I’ve been on Sunset. I’ve been in the greenspace for different events and rallies, for the farmers market which is (held) right here,” he said. “Sunset Boulevard is just a massive amount of greenspace that needs investment and can provide so much for the community.”

Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department thanked the Recreation and Park workers who maintain the city’s parks day after day and lauded the project’s focus on training additional workers.

“You guys are my heroes every single day,” he said.

“This is an investment in workforce development,” Ginsburg continued. This is an investment in giving people the skills they need. It’s not just giving people a job. It’s giving people the skills and training they need to have careers.”