SF’s Newest 5-Acre Waterfront Park Officially Opens
San Francisco just celebrated the grand opening of China Basin Park.
Located on the border of the South of Market and Mission Bay neighborhoods, China Basin Park is part of Phase 1 of the Mission Rock project, a new mixed-use community currently being developed on the surface parking lots south of Oracle Park. The Mission Rock development is a public-private partnership between The Port of San Francisco and Mission Rock Partners (the Giants and Tishman Speyer).
With exceptional views of Oracle Park and the Bay Bridge, the new park – which is under Port jurisdiction – also features five acres of active open space, including a vibrant waterfront park connected to the greater neighborhood through an extension of the Bay Trail’s bike and pedestrian paths. China Basin Park boasts native trees and plants surrounding the perimeter of a Great Lawn, located at the center of the park. A sand beach near the water’s edge provides an inviting play area for young children.
In addition to China Basin Park, the first phase of Mission Rock features four new buildings: two residential and two commercial. The new housing consists of The Canyon, which began welcoming residents in June 2023, and Verde, which starts leasing new homes this summer. Of the 537 units across the two buildings, 30 percent (161) are below market rate. One of the two commercial buildings will soon be the new home of Visa’s Global Headquarters. Local small businesses will open in ground-floor retail spaces including, a restaurant from the Che Fico team, Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, LuxFit, Arsicault Bakery, Proper Food, and Quik Dog.
China Basin Park features enhanced, gender-neutral public restrooms, food and beverage concessions, bike parking, and amphitheater-style seating facing McCovey Cove. Other amenities include:
- Great Lawn: an acre of green grass with stunning views; Gathering Grove: a grove of marina strawberry trees with communal benches lined with catenary lights;
- Dog Zone: a fenced in off-leash dog run and play area;
- Bay Trail: new connection to the biking and pedestrian paths of the Bay Trail wrap around the entire park with new bike parking;
- Stormwater Garden: an elevated boardwalk over a mix of native plants recessed below to absorb stormwater run-off;
- Shoreline Sands: a spacious area along the shoreline filled with sand and wood logs for recreation, exploration, and relaxation; and
- Central Plaza: open hardscape plaza for gathering and dining at the center of the park.
“It’s thrilling to see China Basin Park open at the heart of the vibrant new Mission Rock neighborhood,” said Mayor Breed. “Where there was once a surface level parking lot, we now have new homes as well as office and retail spaces, and now this jewel of a park for residents, visitors, and Giants fans to enjoy. The extraordinary transformation of Mission Rock and China Basin is also critical in our work to expand our regional transit network, connecting Muni and Caltrain to the Bay Trail’s biking and walking paths along our Central Waterfront.”
This park and the entire Mission Rock development are sustainably planned to account for climate change and sea level rise. The park features extensive on-site wastewater treatment and reuse, on-site stormwater treatment, and greenhouse gas-free public power supplied by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Built entirely on fill from the 1906 earthquake, the park is also designed to mitigate stormwater and coastal flooding, elevated 5-6 feet above existing grade atop a foundation of engineered lightweight fill.
The Port of San Francisco played a significant role in the planning and execution of the China Basin Park.
The Mission Rock project broke ground in 2020 following 10 years of community engagement. The development has provided workforce development training to San Francisco residents in the building trades, including for women in the construction industry, who worked on the project as part of the Mission Rock Academy. The development has provided significant workforce public benefits, including a $1 million contribution to the Office of Economic and Workforce Development’s workforce training programs.
The site created nearly 10,000 new jobs, providing opportunities for construction workers and small business owners with a commitment to hiring 30% locally, including 15% disadvantaged workers.
When complete, Mission Rock will be a new mixed-used neighborhood consisting of:
- 5 acres of new parks and open space;
- A City option to lease 15,000 square feet for a community facility such as a school, library or community center;
- At least 1,000 new rental homes, 40% affordable to low- and middle-income individuals and families;
- Sea level rise resiliency and adaptation features;
- Historic rehabilitation of Pier 48; and
- Public waterfront access improvements along Blue Greenway trail.
The Port of San Francisco maintains 16 public parks, including Crane Cove Park and Waterfront Park and Ferry Plaza along the Embarcadero. Each public park offers unique attractions and opportunities for recreation, connection, and entertainment on the waterfront with the goal of ensuring San Francisco Bay’s waters and rich coastlines remain accessible and sustainable for the future. Read more at SF.gov
