Assistant Secretary Estenoz Highlights Investments for Urban Parks, Equitable Access to the Outdoors in San Francisco

Date: Monday, July 18, 2022
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

SAN FRANCISCO — Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz visited California last week to highlight how investments from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) are helping San Francisco – and cities across America – create new urban parks and trails and upgrade existing park infrastructure. This visit underscores the Department of the Interior’s commitment to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background or zip code, can enjoy the benefits of the outdoors.

On Friday, Assistant Secretary Estenoz joined city, state and community leaders to highlight a $61.1 million investment through the ORLP program in 2022 for communities across the nation. These efforts advance the America the Beautiful initiative’s goals to advance equity, biodiversity and climate change through collaborative and locally led conservation. The leaders toured Buchanan Street Mall, which stands to receive a nearly $4 million grant to add new community-requested amenities and activities, including a community garden and open lawn, play and picnic areas. The 5-blocks that make up Buchanan Street Mall will also now be connected by a walking/exercising path that runs continuously throughout the park.

The group also visited Bay View Park, a recent recipient of ORLP funds that earlier this year celebrated the completion of the project. Funding for Bay View helped renovate the park, adding new exercise equipment stations, picnic tables and play structures, and improved pedestrian access points for the community.

The ORLP program, established in 2014, enables urban communities to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and form connections between people and the outdoors in economically underserved communities.

On Saturday, Assistant Secretary Estenoz joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco community leaders to celebrate the opening of the Presidio Tunnel Tops, which adds 14 acres to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area over the tops of the Presidio Parkway tunnels, bringing more national park experiences to those who live in the urban Bay Area, and visitors from around the world. She delivered remarks that highlighted the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to ensuring that all communities have access to nature.

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