ABOUT OUR PARKS
Al’s Park
Al Kovalick, a resident of Corbett Avenue for 74 years, initiated several land beautifications in the neighborhood. CHN helped celebrate Al’s 100th birthday in March of 2021. Unfortunately, Al died several months later.
One of the beautifications started by Mr. Kovalick, Al’s Park, is located on what was once 19th Street, but is now, just off of Corbett, near 369 Corbett, and runs from Corbett Avenue to Market Street. Prior to the widening of Market Street, the land occupied by Al’s Park was once Mono Street. Although the Al’s Park land belongs to the Department of Public Works, the City does not maintain the park. It is up to CHN and our volunteers.
Al’s Park is cited in several San Francisco guide books and by some local tour guides. Many visitors have commented on the beauty and quirkiness of the park. With the development of the property at 369 Corbett Avenue, much of the park was disrupted, with the promise of the owner to help restore the park to its former beauty. It is this project that CHN continued to maintain.
Ord/Corbett Park
This is a prominent garden in the neighborhood and the object of much maintenance of the years. Many individuals are honored for their efforts by plaques scattered around the park. A Harvey Milk redwood memorial tree was planted in 1980. There is a Little Free Library box as well.
The park requires maintenance as most parks do. Although the land belongs to the Department of Public Works, that city agency does no maintenance. In the last few months, CHN has planted drought resistant plants, replaced the decomposed granite pathways with gravel and Sonoma field stone. We recently engaged Josh Schechtel, the garden designer of the Merritt/Danvers park, to design a new plan for Ord to include more plantings.
In 1895, Behrend Joost claimed the lot from 17th & Douglas to Clara (now Ord), which prohibited passage through Corbett Avenue. Joost built a fence at Ord at 17th at Fence (San Francisco Call on February 9, 1900). A judge found in favor the residents who objected. The park was dedicated on March 5, 1912.
Al’s Park
Al Kovalick, a resident of Corbett Avenue for 74 years, initiated several land beautifications in the neighborhood. CHN helped celebrate Al’s 100th birthday in March of 2021. Unfortunately, Al died several months later.
One of the beautifications started by Mr. Kovalick, Al’s Park, is located on what was once 19th Street, but is now, just off of Corbett, near 369 Corbett, and runs from Corbett Avenue to Market Street. Prior to the widening of Market Street, the land occupied by Al’s Park was once Mono Street. Although the Al’s Park land belongs to the Department of Public Works, the City does not maintain the park. It is up to CHN and our volunteers.
Al’s Park is cited in several San Francisco guide books and by some local tour guides. Many visitors have commented on the beauty and quirkiness of the park. With the development of the property at 369 Corbett Avenue, much of the park was disrupted, with the promise of the owner to help restore the park to its former beauty. It is this project that CHN continued to maintain.
Ord/Corbett Park
This is a prominent garden in the neighborhood and the object of much maintenance of the years. Many individuals are honored for their efforts by plaques scattered around the park. A Harvey Milk redwood memorial tree was planted in 1980. There is a Little Free Library box as well.
The park requires maintenance as most parks do. Although the land belongs to the Department of Public Works, that city agency does no maintenance. In the last few months, CHN has planted drought resistant plants, replaced the decomposed granite pathways with gravel and Sonoma field stone. We recently engaged Josh Schechtel, the garden designer of the Merritt/Danvers park, to design a new plan for Ord to include more plantings.
In 1895, Behrend Joost claimed the lot from 17th & Douglas to Clara (now Ord), which prohibited passage through Corbett Avenue. Joost built a fence at Ord at 17th at Fence (San Francisco Call on February 9, 1900). A judge found in favor the residents who objected. The park was dedicated on March 5, 1912.
Merritt/Danvers
The first neighborhood efforts (Twin Peaks East Neighborhood Association) to maintain this park began most likely in 1969 as indicated on the sign that once stood at the triangular point. There have various plans over the years and many individuals who have repeatedly neglected and maintained this park over the years. Beginning in May 2022, the weeds were removed (more than once), the pathways were restored with gravel and the garden designer, Josh Schechtel, devised a plan for the park. Planting began in November 2022 and now the drought resistant plants are well established.
As you may know, SF Parks and Recreation has no involvement with Merritt/Danvers Park or any of our other community parks. (This parcel is property of DPW and became a green space in the 1920's when Merritt Street was eliminated to create the Market Street extension.) All of the work done is thanks to private donations from neighbors and members of our neighborhood association, CHN. This park is our neighborhood’s most visible park. Enhancing it benefits us all, and especially those who live close by. CHN provides for monthly maintenance by a garden landscaper.
SLOPE Community Park
The SLOPE Community Park is the result of the widening of Market Street Extension (twice). Several houses were removed from the SLOPE; at least one was moved to another location—11 Mars Street is one of those relocated houses. A street, Falcon, was expunged and portions became Market Street, leaving a large piece of property owned by the Real Estate Division. Some of that land was acquired and the buildings at 311 and 315 were sold for development. The maps show the changes over time from 1919 to the present.
Twin Peaks East Neighborhood opened the space to neighbors for planting beds. At some point, someone was injured and the area was chained off for years and the weeds took over. It wasn’t until 2011 that the neighborhood organization was able to weed and garden once again.
The land was threatened as open space in 2011, when the Department of Real Estate planned to sell the land to developers. By the efforts of CHN and President Gary Weiss, the land was saved and funds secured to build the planters. The land was transferred to the Department of Public Works. Since that time, CHN has maintained the large area—removed dead trees, trimmed trees, picked up much trash from encampments, etc. The wall at Market Street was also extended to the full length.
1919 Before Extension
1935, After First Extension of Market Street
1960, After Second Extension
1990, Current