Our Mission Statement:
Neighborhood Parks Council (NPC) advocates for a superior, equitable and sustainable park and recreation system. NPC provides leadership and support to park users through community-driven stewardship, education, planning and research.
NPC is a coalition of community-based park groups actively involved in improving neighborhood parks throughout San Francisco. Since 1996, NPC has grown to include 120+ park groups and 4,000 park volunteers, establishing itself as San Francisco’s premier park advocacy group.
NPC strives to increase public and private support for, and commitment to, the restoration and improved maintenance of our neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities. In addition to technical assistance and organizing help to our network and new park groups, NPC provides a forum for sharing information and experience at monthly meetings, as well as with educational presentations and workshops with guest speakers and topic experts.
Park Advocacy
Our clout as an advocacy group shows in the placement of the "Parks Package" on the March 2000 ballot responsible for securing a $110 million bond to upgrade our neighborhood parks – the first citywide bond in over 50 years—and the renewal of the cherished Open Space Fund for another 30 years! NPC also worked closely on the Opportunity Fund of 2008’s Proposition A, a $185 million bond that addresses the capital needs of the City’s parks, as well as open space access along the bay shoreline.
Community Involvement
NPC is dedicated to developing a strong working relationship between our community and the Recreation and Park Department. Through innovative projects such as ParkScan.org, NPC helps to establish long-needed standards of park maintenance as well as provide city agencies with useful, accurate information about park conditions and community priorities.
Park Improvements
NPC is also involved with several exciting initiatives to help improve our parks. In addition to the thousands of hours of volunteer labor NPC affiliate groups contribute in their parks, NPC's Playground Campaign rebuilds San Francisco’s dilapidated playgrounds. NPC has also launched the Blue Greenway, the southeastern continuation of the Bay Trail which will create a “healthy corridor” for activity along the southeastern shore of San Francisco connecting parks and green spaces along the route.
Education
NPC helps park groups acquire the resources and contacts they need to realize their goals. In addition, we provide a variety of forums through which San Franciscans can learn about their parks and plan for the improvement of these precious spaces. NPC hosts bi-monthly coalition meetings featuring guest speakers and panelists to provide a forum for sharing information and experience among the groups. We also offer technical assistance to members through one-on-one counseling and member materials, and through educational presentations and workshops.
Public Awareness
NPC galvanizes public awareness of, and involvement in, the major issues facing our neighborhood parks. We keep our constituents informed of upcoming public meetings through Action Alerts, thereby bringing together city leaders and the community together to foster a shared vision for clean, safe, beautiful parks and quality recreation programs.
All of San Francisco's neighborhoods deserve beautiful, well-maintained areas in which to play, mingle, and relax. For more information on how to start or participate in an effort in your area, contact us at 415.621.3260, or if you would like to donate to support our work, CLICK HERE.
