About — Friends of Esprit Park

ORIGIN STORY

Esprit Park was developed in the 1980s as a private park for the employees of the Esprit de Corps company. It was open to the public and was maintained and landscaped by private gardeners. The original landscape architect for the project was Drew Detsch, a founding member of Friends of Esprit Park. At the time, the company had 300 employees and Dogpatch had about 200 residents.

BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR THE FUTURE

In 2016, Friends of Esprit Park (FoEP) began efforts to raise awareness of the dire condition issues in the park, dovetailing with a SF Planning Dept. Public Realm study. Thanks to a clear strategy and off the charts member engagement and advocacy (82% survey response rates on a base of over 475!), FoEP played a defining role in raising $7.4 million to give Esprit Park a much needed makeover. UCSF contributed $5Million, and $2.4Million from Eastern Neighborhoods Community Advisory Committee (ENCAC). We also influence UCSF retail planning for a new corner market.

OUR TEAM

Current Board Members
President: Irma Lewis
Treasurer: Camilla Reaney
Secretary: Open
Communications & Marketing Advisor: Chiara Vandrick

Honorary Board Members:
Frank Kingman
Rhonda Kingman
Drew Detsch

Now and Then: Esprit's Original Design

Esprit Park was designed as an urban oasis containing mature plantings of trees and shrubs, a running track, benches and picnic tables, parcourse fitness stations, walking paths and over an acre in open rolling lawn.

In their original state, the lush trees shielded the park from the freeway.

Photos from Friends of Esprit Park Archives/Drew Detsch

Before It All Began

Esprit Park used to be a warehouse before it was razed and converted into the green oasis we know today.

Photos from Friends of Esprit Park Archives/Drew Detsch

Original Concept Designs for Esprit

Cherry Blossoms

There used to be multiple Cherry Blossom trees in Esprit Park. Now, we only have the main one pictured here.

Photos from Friends of Esprit Park Archives/Drew Detsch

Esprit Park for the People

Esprit Park has always been open to the public and has served as a multi-purpose community center, hosting families, parties, picnickers, dog owners, exercisers, and neighbors who just want to spend time in nature.

Esprit De Corps

Esprit Park was part of the campus for the Esprit De Corps company (flag shown here). It was the first modern corporate campus.

Go Niners!

OUR MISSION

We advocate for the protection, preservation, and programming of Esprit Park as a green oasis in the urban fabric of Dogpatch, SF where our community can enjoy green space and get to know each other. We help make sure that the needs of the people who use the park are represented as we engage and support the community.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

COMMUNITY
NATURE
SHARED SPACE
FUN
SUSTAINABILITY
HEALTH

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