Traditional open space is a scarce resource in Chinatown. In 1991 Reverend Norman Fong envisioned utilizing Chinatown’s forty-one alleyways as a source of open space for the community. He founded the Adopt-An-Alleyway Youth Empowerment Project, which has evolved into a grassroots empowerment youth program to clean and green alleyways. In addition, the San Francisco Planning Department adopted Chinatown CDC’s Chinatown Alleyway Master Plan in 1998 as a guide for the renovation of the core alleyways in Chinatown.
Alleyways
To date, eleven alleyways have been renovated under the Chinatown Alleyway Master Plan: Hang Ah, Cordelia, Ross, Spofford, Commercial, John, Waverly, Jack Kerouac, Wentworth, Beckett, and Cooper alleys. We have installed new paving, pedestrian scale lighting, bronze decorations on the sidewalks, sewer and drainage replacements, bollards, and enlarged pedestrian right-of-way in many of these alleys.
Committee for Better Parks and Recreation in Chinatown (CBPRC)
Founded in 1969, CBPRC has advocated for open space and recreation areas in Chinatown. Because of Chinatown’s high density, open space and parks are especially important and a limited resource to our neighborhood. Our committee members have a long history of being engaged and active in the community processes in Chinatown including the renovation of many San Francisco Recreation and Park facilities and open spaces. CBPRC members include volunteer architects, district council staff, and community members, as well as staff from neighborhood service providers like Community Youth Center, Kai Ming Head Start, and Self-Help for the Elderly.
Alleyways
To date, eleven alleyways have been renovated under the Chinatown Alleyway Master Plan: Hang Ah, Cordelia, Ross, Spofford, Commercial, John, Waverly, Jack Kerouac, Wentworth, Beckett, and Cooper alleys. We have installed new paving, pedestrian scale lighting, bronze decorations on the sidewalks, sewer and drainage replacements, bollards, and enlarged pedestrian right-of-way in many of these alleys.
Committee for Better Parks and Recreation in Chinatown (CBPRC)
Founded in 1969, CBPRC has advocated for open space and recreation areas in Chinatown. Because of Chinatown’s high density, open space and parks are especially important and a limited resource to our neighborhood. Our committee members have a long history of being engaged and active in the community processes in Chinatown including the renovation of many San Francisco Recreation and Park facilities and open spaces. CBPRC members include volunteer architects, district council staff, and community members, as well as staff from neighborhood service providers like Community Youth Center, Kai Ming Head Start, and Self-Help for the Elderly.
Saving Chinese Playground
"Saving Chinese Playground" tells the story of how Chinatown activists at Cameron House, led by Rev. Harry Chuck and Sister Beverly Karnatz, successful organized opposition to a 1968 plan to develop a parking garage on the site of the Chinese Playground. This grass roots organizing led to formation of the Committee for Better Parks and Recreation in Chinatown, and is described in former Recreation and Park Commissioner Gordon Chin 's book, Building Community, Chinatown Style.