City Park

One of the most unique features of the new facility is “City Park,” a 5.4-acre public park that will sit atop the new Transit Center and feature a wide range of activities and amenities, including a walking trail, vegetation gardens, lush landscape, lily ponds, an outdoor amphitheatre as well as several retail attractions.

In addition to being a generous amenity for the up-and-coming South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood, City Park will double as a “green roof” for the transit facility, one of the many environmentally-friendly building features, including climate appropriate plants and efficient irrigation and drainage systems. The green roof will shade much of the ground-level sidewalk when the sun is strongest and will serve as a way of reducing the urban heat island effect of the area thus contributing to lower cooling loads, both for the new Transit Center and its neighbors. As a biological organism itself, the park will help to capture and filter the exhaust in the area and help to improve the air quality of the neighborhood.

Just over a quarter mile long, the park design includes active space allowing organized events like concerts and fairs along with quiet areas where visitors can relax in informal natural settings. The vibrant plaza located in the center of the park will receive the largest influx of visitors from the building’s main escalator and elevator which connect to the ground level. Plenty of seating as well as opportunities for retail and food services are expected to be offered on the main plaza.

The park’s western end will feature an amphitheater and stage for programmed performances. Interspersed throughout the park, display gardens which flower and provide visual interest year-round will be planted. In addition to the botanic displays, open lawn areas and rolling vegetated mounds will allow visitors to enjoy the park setting. Children will also find places for active and dynamic exploration in the Children’s Play Gardens. These areas will fit seamlessly into the overall park plan, and will contain gardens, water features and other elements that offer varied perceptions and experiences for the young and young at heart.

Highlights of City Park include:

• Green roof with sustainable design features
• Public space including both quiet and active areas
• Opportunities for retail and food services
• Amphitheater
• Display gardens featuring climate-appropriate plants