Revitalizing Sunset Boulevard
I’m excited to announce $1.5 million in new state and city funding to revitalize the Sunset Boulevard green space corridor.
It will go toward irrigation infrastructure and additional gardeners provided by the Recreation and Park Department. It will also include a workforce training program with the Northern California Laborers Training Center. Public Works will continue with boulevard and median maintenance.
For many years, neighbors have been frustrated that the greenbelt has not received the care it deserves. Each winter, more trees succumb to storms. During summer months, legacy vegetation withers without a fully functional irrigation system.
A combination of drought, deferred maintenance and decades-old irrigation pipes have resulted in a boulevard that is far less green and vibrant than it could be. This compelled neighbors to organize and advocate for long-term funding for capital improvements and routine greenway maintenance.
Today, this group is known as Friends of Sunset Boulevard. They’ve successfully worked with district supervisors and mayors to secure crucial funding needed to hire gardeners, repair irrigation lines and revitalize the greenbelt.
Thanks to their advocacy this budget year, I’m helping the City step up to ensure the 60 acre greenbelt can regain its luster as a neighborhood gem – a two-mile stretch of verdant parkland, recreation space and native plant habitat.
This investment in Sunset Boulevard also demonstrates the City’s commitment to be accountable and deliver real results for the west side.
With additional maintenance and capital funding, Sunset Boulevard could be part of San Francisco’s own “emerald necklace” – a continuous green loop for immediate neighbors and residents to revel in the natural beauty our City offers. Sunset Boulevard is the key link, connecting Lake Merced to Golden Gate Park.
Investing in Sunset Boulevard will also pay dividends for adjacent neighbors and the greater west side. It will expand local access to parkland and recreational opportunities. It will encourage greater stewardship and community volunteerism. Plus, it will help increase the Sunset’s urban forest canopy.
A well-maintained and beautiful Sunset Boulevard greenbelt highlights the best of the west side – and San Francisco.
Night Market News
The gigantic Sunset Night Market is not returning this fall, but merchants on Irving Street are working on plans for a three-block version called Sunset After Dark. This is a community-led effort by residents, merchants and community partners who loved the night market and wanted to make sure the Sunset didn’t miss a year.
Big thanks to Daniel Ramirez of Smokin D’s BBQ, the Outer Sunset Merchant and Professional Association, Dear Community and Sunset Youth Services for taking the lead on putting the event together. The event also recognizes the back-to-school season and will provide an opportunity for local PTAs to fundraise for the upcoming school year.
Planning and outreach are currently underway. If you want to participate as a vendor, contact sunsetafterdarksf@gmail.com.
The community-driven event will celebrate the heart and soul of the Sunset with local food, music, culture and art. My office is fully supportive, and I’m thrilled the community is coming together to organize a wonderful evening in the Sunset.
Mark your calendar for Friday, Sept. 26, 5-9 p.m. on Irving Street, between 20th and 23rd avenues.
If you want to reach me with questions about anything, I’ll see your message at engardio.com/contact.
Joel Engardio is the District 4 representative on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He can be reached at engardio.com/contact.
Categories: City Hall
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 
must be nice to tout “two-mile stretch of verdant parkland, recreation space and native plant habitat.” And to boast any role is rebuilding San Francisco’s own “emerald necklace” otherwise, all known as Sunset Boulevard in the Western part of the city. This 2 mile pathway which has twice been legislated through city action as a wild land biodiversity preserve, would all be well and good, if this bery same supervisor wasn’t one of the key figures who led action to force a detour dumping thousands of vehicles daily onto this same greenbelt and so called neighborhood treasure.
The hypocrisy in attempting to claim credit for saving this greenbelt what he has put at a whole new level of threat by forcing thousands of motorist every day off of what was the great highway a perfectly functioning roadway so that the hundreds can enjoy a closed road bed on a regular basis. But then again he is a politician and they serve themselves first and foremost.
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Not to mention the multiple accidents on Sunset Blvd (at one point THREE accidents within a two week period last year) and the diversion of traffic from the low injury Great Highway to the high injury Sunset Blvd. We know that increased traffic congestion leads to higher accident/injury rates. Trades people recently at my home said they lived on Sunset Blvd and traffic is much higher and more dangerous for their children. We also know from CO emissions studies done by UC Riverside after the pandemic that CO2 emissions are now higher on 19th Avenue because of diverted traffic from a closed Great Highway. So now a “green belt” but more heavily trafficked and dangerous than before.
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