In order to demonstrate the importance of storm water capture and native and drought-tolerant plant landscaping, the San Francisco Chapter will be helping to transform a median near the N-Judah turnaround — soon to be known as La Playa Park — into an ocean friendly garden and community gathering space. This Median Project was developed to educate and involve the community, showing them how to transform their own properties into more ocean friendly environments, and to help them facilitate this process if they so choose. The project will include signage calling out native plants, pollinators, habitat, edibles and best management practices for reducing stormwater runoff. The addition of this park will provide residents with an opportunity to volunteer and support the beautification of a section of their neighborhood that has otherwise been an eyesore and an area for mischief.

In conjunction with our long-running "Plant Don't Pave" program, this garden will be a highlight in the neighborhood for people looking to "do the right thing" in their own yards. This change of land use allows more rain and stormwater to be trapped and absorbed into the ground, instead of running off into the ocean. This is highly beneficial because rain and stormwater often carry harmful pollutants from the roadways – pesticides, oil residues – which can impact the health of fish, marine mammals, and humans.

Partial funding for this project have been secured through a Community Challenge Grant from the City of San Francisco. A Street Park designation has been acquired through the San Francisco Parks Trust (www.sfpt.org), which will provide future support from city services (DPW and the SF PUC) such as tool loans for workdays, and information on resources for the project.

The good news is that you can help bring back healthy coasts and oceans through CPR© — Conservation, Permeability and Retention. It's a way for all of us to design and maintain our gardens so that we can reduce
urban runoff — and the pollutants that go with it.

To view the proposed design and volunteer day photos visit www.laplayapark.info.

This project is a 2009 project, and will be running through 2010. To see the latest proposal (blueprint), click here!

Participation in both of these programs requires community involvement in the installation and stewardship process:

• Make a Donation: If you can make a donation to this program, the money will go 100% into the permits and supplies for this project. Just visit our donations page, and whichever method of donation you choose, be sure to note that the money is for the "La Playa Park Project".
• Roll up your sleeves: Check our events calendar to see if there are any plantings, gardening work, or even sign-making coming up to help install and establish this awesome project. If you don't see anything or want more information, contact the "La Playa Garden" program manager.