Parkmerced

Parkmerced is a neighborhood in San Francisco, California, developed by MetLife in the 1940s, with Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture, and Garden city movement principles. The area is situated near San Francisco State University, Lakeshore Plaza, and Stonestown Galleria, with easy access to Interstate 280 and Junipero Serra Boulevard. Parkmerced is also close to the San Francisco Zoo, Lake Merced, and the Fiji Way trail, which connects to the Golden Gate Park and the Presidio of San Francisco. The neighborhood is represented by Nancy Pelosi, Dianne Feinstein, and Gavin Newsom, and is part of the California's 12th congressional district.

History

The history of Parkmerced dates back to the 1940s, when MetLife began developing the area as a planned community, with Robert E. Simon as the lead architect, inspired by the Garden city movement and Frank Lloyd Wright's designs. The development was influenced by the Federal Housing Administration and the National Housing Act of 1934, which aimed to provide affordable housing for World War II veterans, such as George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Parkmerced was also shaped by the San Francisco Planning Department, led by Timothy P. Flannery, and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, which included Harvey Milk and Willie Brown. The neighborhood's history is also connected to the University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Geography

Parkmerced is situated in the southwestern part of San Francisco, California, near Lake Merced, San Francisco State University, and the San Francisco Zoo. The neighborhood is bounded by Sloat Boulevard to the north, 19th Avenue to the east, Stonestown Galleria to the south, and Junipero Serra Boulevard to the west. Parkmerced is also close to the Golden Gate Park, Presidio of San Francisco, and the Fiji Way trail, which connects to the Ocean Beach and the Cliff House. The area is represented by the San Francisco Department of Public Works, led by Mohammed Nuru, and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, which oversees the Golden Gate Park and the Presidio of San Francisco.

Demographics

The demographics of Parkmerced are diverse, with a mix of young professionals, families, and retirees, including Asian Americans, African Americans, Latin Americans, and European Americans. The neighborhood is home to students from San Francisco State University, University of California, San Francisco, and University of San Francisco, as well as employees from Zynga, Twitter, and Salesforce.com. Parkmerced is also close to the San Francisco VA Medical Center, which serves veterans from World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War, including John McCain and John Kerry. The area is represented by the San Francisco Democratic Party, led by David Chiu, and the San Francisco Republican Party, led by Harmeet Dhillon.

Transportation

Parkmerced is accessible by public transportation, including the San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni), which connects to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, and the Caltrain commuter rail, which links to the Altamont Corridor Express and the Amtrak Coast Starlight. The neighborhood is also close to the San Francisco International Airport, which serves United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, and the Oakland International Airport, which serves Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Parkmerced is situated near Interstate 280 and Junipero Serra Boulevard, which connect to the US-101 and the I-80, and is also accessible by bike and foot via the Fiji Way trail and the Golden Gate Park.

Development and Redevelopment

The development and redevelopment of Parkmerced have been shaped by the San Francisco Planning Department, led by Timothy P. Flannery, and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, which included Harvey Milk and Willie Brown. The neighborhood has undergone significant changes, including the construction of new residential buildings, such as the Parkmerced Towers, and the renovation of existing infrastructure, including the Sloat Boulevard and the 19th Avenue corridors. Parkmerced is also part of the San Francisco Housing Action Coalition, which aims to provide affordable housing for low-income families and seniors, and the San Francisco Community Land Trust, which works to preserve affordable housing and community gardens.

Community

The community in Parkmerced is diverse and vibrant, with a mix of young professionals, families, and retirees, including Asian Americans, African Americans, Latin Americans, and European Americans. The neighborhood is home to the Parkmerced Community Association, which organizes community events, such as the Parkmerced Summer Festival, and the Parkmerced Neighborhood Watch, which works to improve public safety and community engagement. Parkmerced is also close to the San Francisco Public Library, which serves the neighborhood and the University of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, which oversees the Golden Gate Park and the Presidio of San Francisco. The area is represented by the San Francisco Democratic Party, led by David Chiu, and the San Francisco Republican Party, led by Harmeet Dhillon. Category:Neighborhoods in San Francisco, California