We are an ethnically and economically diverse group committed to fostering neighborhood participation, pride and environmental stewardship for the parks, gardens and recreation areas in the Hayes Valley-Western Addition of San Francisco. We accomplish our mission through programs and projects that empower all residents, youth and their families to be healthy, safe and to positively impact their community. Our programs engage, recreate and educate children, families and other residents.

Description:
Values and Beliefs
• We believe children and families are important to the future and resilience of our neighborhood and should be encouraged to engage in, enjoy and protect our environment and precious open space.
• We believe in environmental sustainability and justice for present and future generations.
• We believe that promoting a sense of community and cooperation among residents of all socioeconomic levels is important to the well being of the neighborhood.
• We believe green spaces are vital to the well-being of our community.
• We cultivate and empower neighbors to be stewards for the parks, building on their interests, strengths and assets.
• We value human differences and diversity.
• We encourage equality, active citizenship, and empowerment.
• We believe in the power of collaboration with community groups and City departments.

Key Objectives
• Build a deep sense of stewardship for the neighborhood’s parks amongst all of its residents, especially youth, the elderly, and those who traditionally have little access to neighborhood parks.
• Educate the community, especially youth, about the importance of caring for our environment and the natural world, through a variety of educational and fun activities.
• Ensure that the entire Hayes Valley community has access to clean, safe, enjoyable, attractive parks and recreation centers.
• Support and encourage the extensive use of park and recreation center resources by coordinating access to them by local schools, housing developments and other organizations such as senior centers and half way houses.
• Create open and responsive working relationships with City departments, including the Recreation and Parks Department, the Health Department, the Mayor’s Office, and the Police Department, to ensure that Hayes Valley parks and recreation centers are safe, attractive and properly maintained.

History:
The Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group (HVNPG) was founded in 1994 in response to a mandate from the State of California to come up with a comprehensive response to substance abuse.

Hayes Valley was selected for the five-year study because it had the highest crime rate in the City. Drugs and prostitution embedded themselves in three parks: the Hayes Valley Playground and Clubhouse, the Rose-Page Mini Park, and the Daniel E. Koshland Community Park.

With the support and guidance of HVNPG, neighbors came together to take back these parks. They worked with the police and City agencies to secure funds to design and renovate them, and to develop programs that would help build ongoing community stewardship. Today, the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group is composed of over 250 volunteers dedicated to a coordinated set of programs that focus on recreation, youth and adult education, safety, health, environmental awareness, and a celebration of the culturally and economically diverse population of our neighborhood.

In the past thirteen years our organization has raised over three million dollars for the renovation of parks in Hayes Valley and to create programs that inspire, educate and build community. In 2006 we were recognized with an award from the Neighborhood Parks Council for outstanding San Francisco Parks Group.

Our accomplishments include:
• The renovation of Koshland Park and Rose-Page Mini Park
• The creation of the Koshland Park Community Learning Garden, including the hiring of part-time and full-time garden educators
• Launching the BEET Rangers Program (Band of Environmentally Educated Teens) with 15 low-income, diverse teens from the Western Addition. (A yearly green jobs training program).
• The revitalization of the Hayes Valley Playground and Clubhouse into a thriving center for youth
• Advocating for and helping the design of the new Hayes Green at Octavia Boulevard

The drug use, prostitution and attendant high crime of the 1990’s has abated, and the residents of this community can again go safely into the neighborhood’s parks and centers to play, exercise, relax and enjoy nature. As a result of its great success, the HVNPG is in an exciting time of transition, as it moves from a period of intense activism to one of stabilizing and growing programs and activities for the long term, that will engage all residents of this extremely diverse neighborhood in the effort to provide safe, attractive, educational recreational resources for the community.

In looking to the future, we’d like to strengthen our existing programs, find committed, helpful board members, securing funds for over-all operating expenses and provide a full-time salary for our executive director.

Contact people:

Barbara Wenger, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Nora Brereton, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (415) 431-8112
Office fax number: (415) 431-0148

Address:

300 Page St San Francisco, CA 94102 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.hvnparks.com

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: BART-Civic Center,   Walk distance (in minutes): 10-15 minutes   Nearest Bus Stop: #6,66,72, 5 minutes minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	American Sign Language, Mandarin, Spanish
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	5 years old
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	Yes