The
project is sponsored by the South Park Improvement Association (SPIA).
Convened in 1983, the SPIA has been advocating and raising funds for
South Park ever since, providing volunteer time and oversight. The
Association has a long and productive working relationship with Steve
Cismowski, the PSA District Two Manager, and has been an active partner
with the Neighborhood Parks Council, now part of the SF Parks Alliance.
As a consequence of its steady stewardship, the SPIA has been successful
in getting lighting installed along the park perimeter, new
benches/tables and an enclosure for the tots’ play area (though that
area is compromised by drainage problems).
The
SPIA leveraged its involvement in community affairs, including local
planning and zoning efforts, to conduct a community design charrette and
follow-on design meetings. It tapped membership expertise in web
surveys and social media to extend outreach. As the project scope
broadened to include a full master plan, the SPIA solicited and vetted
proposals from qualified local professionals. The SPIA used Association
funds to pay for the Master Plan and subsequent Arborist Survey as a
seed investment. In parallel, Association members lobbied effectively to
have South Park added as a named park in the up-coming Parks bond.
South Park is a San Francisco Parks Alliance Parks Partner
The San Francisco Parks Alliance (SFPA) provides fiscal sponsorship to community groups, such as SPIA, whose
missions align with SFPA’s own values. As a fiscal sponsor, SFPA allows
community groups to seek grants and solicit tax-deductible donations
under our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
