On August 30th, more than forty community leaders, volunteers, and public space organizers came together for an afternoon that felt part reunion, part strategy session, and part spark for what comes next. The SF Public Space Collective hosted the gathering at Upper Noe Recreation Center, creating a lively space from the moment people arrived. Groups from across the city finally had the chance to meet in person, share stories, and see the collective power that emerges when everyone is in the same room.
Tom Radulovich from Livable City presents at the August 30th 2026 SF Public Space Collective event.
Chris Faust, Project Manager for Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center, welcomed everyone, and our Chair, Ildiko Polony, opened the gathering by focusing on connection, collaboration, and shared momentum. Funders Robin Takayama from Community Challenge Grants and Kelly Teter from Green Infrastructure Grants at SFPUC joined us to share real opportunities for groups doing hands-on work. Steering Committee members Sophie Constantinou from the California Native Plant Society and Tom Radulovich from Livable City led breakout conversations.
The room included Glen Park Greenway, SF Urban Riders, Friends of Balboa Park, the 22nd Street Jungle Stairs Project, SF Bee Cause, and many others. People left energized, inspired, and already asking about the next meet-up.
Attendees described the event as a “raging success,” “amazing,” and said it was packed with “super useful information and great to be networking once again.”
Attendees gather around the discussion board at the 8/30/2026 SF Public Space Collective meet‑up.
Breakout groups jump into lively conversations at the 8/30/2026 SF Public Space Collective meet‑up.
Feedback Survey
If you attended the 8/30 event, please take the short feedback survey so we can keep improving these gatherings.
Next Meet Up: October 10
If you missed it, no worries. More events are coming!
Our next meet‑up will be on October 10th, hosted by SF Urban Riders at the Laguna Honda Open Space at 2 pm. Bring snacks to share and your own beverage. This meet‑up will be very casual and unprogrammed. It is a chance to visit one of our partner sites and follow up on the conversations and fun from last time.
Save the Date: November 14
We will also have an upcoming event on working with DPW and SFRPD planned for November 14th; stay tuned for more information!
In community,
Ildiko with the SF Public Space Collective
SF Public Space Collective
A fiscally sponsored project of Contina Impact.
[email protected]
SFPublicSpace.org