On October 22, Bayfront Park, a newly constructed 5.4-acre park between the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center and the bay, officially opened its doors. This park features expansive lawns, a stretch of bay trail, multiple plazas, and an abundance of trees and native plants, all designed to combat climate change and rising sea levels. Significant materials from the old Bay Bridge were repurposed in the construction of shaded structures and other park facilities.
Located at the intersection of 16th Street and Terry A. Francois Boulevard near Mission Bay, Bayfront Park is part of a larger redevelopment initiative. This area, once an underutilized marine industrial zone, has transformed into a vibrant community space. The park showcases numerous native plants commonly found along the coastal bay, including coastal shrubs and bioretention gardens to manage stormwater runoff. To further protect against rising sea levels and coastal tides, the site has been elevated.
The project integrates seamlessly with nearby open spaces, enhancing accessibility to Agua Vista Park and Mariposa Bay Park to the south/southwest, and connecting with the completed portions of Bay Park to the north. In keeping with the site’s history related to marine industry, recycled steel from the old Bay Bridge has been extensively utilized throughout the park’s design.
Bayfront Park is part of the Mission Bay South Redevelopment Plan approved in 1998. Since then, Mission Bay has evolved into a lively community featuring renowned institutions such as UCSF Medical Center and the Warriors’ Chase Center, home to the seven-time NBA champions. Since the onset of development, over 6,200 housing units have been added, including more than 1,600 affordable homes. The area also boasts around 6 million square feet of commercial and retail space, along with more than 40 acres of parks and open spaces for residents and visitors alike. The park was developed in collaboration with the Mission Bay Development Group and the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII), with maintenance overseen by the Port of San Francisco. Future plans include potential restaurant or concession areas within the park.
Mayor London Breed expressed her enthusiasm seeing the area transform from a vacant lot into a beautiful park cherished by residents and visitors. With the opening of Bayfront Park, Mission Bay is poised to become a thriving community featuring ample open spaces, new residential developments, and world-class healthcare and sports facilities.
Brandon Schneider, President and COO of the Golden State Warriors, stated that the park’s opening significantly enhances the experience for everyone visiting Chase Center and Thrive City. The Warriors are committed to making the Bay and Mission Bay community a vibrant global destination and are thrilled that the park adds to this vision. Since Chase Center opened, it has hosted over 400 events, attracting nearly 5 million fans and generating an economic impact of $4.2 billion for San Francisco, an accomplishment the Warriors take great pride in. They look forward to collaborating with the city and local community organizations to provide even more services.
City Councilmember Matt Dorsey remarked that Bayfront Park creates a vibrant space that fosters community connections and provides a perfect backdrop for businesses surrounding Chase Center and Thrive City, enriching the waterfront experience for residents and visitors alike.
Elaine Forbes, Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco, noted that the park elegantly integrates elements of the local marine industry and is designed to withstand future sea level rise.
