SF Unveils New “Bayfront Park,” Reusing Steel from Bay Bridge (Grand Opening)

©2022 Surfacedesign, Inc

Thanks to the San Francisco Chronicle for letting us know that the city’s waterfront welcomes yet another new addition today with the grand opening of Bayfront Park, a 5.5-acre green space nestled between Chase Center and the Bay.

The park, originally scheduled to open in fall of 2023 and part of the Mission Bay Master Plan, transforms what was once an industrial site into a vibrant public space, offering sweeping views of the waterfront and a unique connection to the city’s history. This marks the second waterfront park to open in the past week, further enhancing the city’s eastern shoreline.

A key highlight of Bayfront Park is its incorporation of steel from the original dismantled eastern span of the Bay Bridge. Salvaged beams and trusses have been repurposed into benches, picnic tables, and canopy supports, giving the park a distinctive blend of past and present. These weathered pieces of the bridge, complete with original nuts and bolts, offer a striking contrast to the park’s contemporary design.

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The park, designed by Surfacedesign Inc., spans 5.5 acres and cost $32.8 million to complete (not including the free steel). Its layout includes open lawns, plazas, a section of the Bay Trail, and a boardwalk that extends toward the water like the prow of a ship. Rising 14.5 feet at its highest point, the park is built to withstand future sea level rise, making it not only a beautiful public space but also a climate-resilient one. Eventually the park will also be the home to a ferry landing to take people to and from Chase Center.

The grand opening takes place today (October 22, 2024) at 11:00 AM at the 16th Street Plaza, located at the corner of 16th Street and Terry A. Francois Boulevard. The park’s location, right next to Chase Center, makes it an ideal spot for visitors to relax, tailgate, or attend events before or after games and concerts.

Read the full story at San Francisco Chronicle

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.