Victoria Manalo Draves Park, a two acre park in SOMA, opened in October, 2006. It is located on Folsom Street between 6th and 7th streets.

The park is named for Victoria Manalo Draves, the first Filipina to compete in the Olympic games. In 1948, she won gold metals in both the springboard and platform diving events. She has been an important role-model and in the Asian American community.

The park features a ball field, basketball court, bathroom, a childrens' play area featuring a teepee-style jungle gym and a slide, a community garden, a landscaped area, picnic area, and playfield.

Presently featured in the park is an awesome piece of public art: Stan, Submerging Man. Laura Weil, an active member of the Friends of Victoria Manalo Draves Park, has partnered with Black Rock Arts Foundation to bring Stan, Submerging Man into the new park. The sculpture, designed by Finely Fryer, is a 18-foot-tall sculpture of a bell diver (covered with 45 rpm vintage records). For more information on the sculpture, click here.