Portable Parks Pop Up All Over Downtown San Francisco

Shiny, bright red containers filled with lush greenery and curling ferns have started popping up in downtown San Francisco. <a href="http://www.cmgsite.com/">Conger Moss Guillard Landscape Architects</a> (CMG) designed the conceptual “Parkmobiles” as a part of the <a href="http://www.ybcbd.org/yerba-buena-street-life-plan/">Yerba Buena Street Life Plan</a>, recently unveiled by San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee at a public event. The plan aims to improve the district’s streets, alleys, and public spaces over the next ten years by implementing over thirty new public space projects.

Original rendering from the Yerba Buena Street Life Plan, before the Parkmobiles were constructed.

Example of a typical scene in the Yerba Buena District, where Parkmobiles will be placed to brighten the streetscape and provide seating.

Conger Moss Guillard landscape architects (CMG) designed the eye-catching Parkmobiles.

The Parkmobiles are portable.

A Parkmobile, seen here being transported on the back of a city vehicle.

The first Parkmobiles, being dropped off in front of the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association for an official unveiling.

Parkmobiles sprucing up the sidewalk on Mission Street.

Community members give Parkmobile seating a try.

The Yerba Buena Street Life plan includes ambitious designs that will include the Parkmobiles along with many other improvements to public space. Above, an envisioned pedestrian plaza.

The Street Life Plan includes renderings of a possible community dog park in a small alleyway.

A community park is planned to rise out of an underused cul-de-sac.

Another community dog park is planned for the Yerba Buena district - Parkmobiles are just the start for the improvements envisioned for the neighborhood.

With its many alleys, the Yerba Buena neighborhood could better use these spaces, adding greenery and stormwater drainage.

Pedestrians in downtown San Francisco enjoy a spot of sun on the newly installed Parkmobile's bench.