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- McLaren Park - Shelley Promenade Project/
McLaren Park - Shelley Promenade Project
Approved October 24, 2023!
Background
T he Shelley Promenade in McLaren Park is now permanent after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors signed off on Rec and Park’s plan to convert it to a promenade. This nearly half-mile stretch of Shelley Drive has been closed to cars since April 2020 and with its new permanent status it will continue to be a safe space for biking, wheeling, running, and walking.
The conversion into a promenade was supported by multiple City policies and program recommendations as a way to improve accessibility, equity, and mobility within McLaren Park. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) policies and analysis support the proposed action.
In June 2023, the Recreation and Park Commission considered the proposed conversion of a section of John Shelley Drive to a permanent pedestrian and bicycle promenade and passed a motion recommending that the Board of Supervisors hear and approve the proposed conversion. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the conversion on October 24, 2023 and Mayor London Breed signed into law November 3, 2023 .
Scope of Work
This 0.4-mile-long section of the John Shelley Drive in McLaren Park is now reserved for pedestrians as a way to enhance the park experience and improve safety and comfort for all non-vehicular users.
The conversion project did not include any physical changes to the area, except for the addition of some bollards and gates to ensure safety. The physical implementation of the project will occur in phases:
- Adjusting barrier locations, and adding improved barriers and temporary signage (spring 2024);
- Installation of a multi-use path to connect the Mansell Promenade and the Shelley Promenade (2024-25); and
- Installation of ADA parking and path of travel to the Shelley Promenade, permanent signage, and potentially upgraded bollards/ gates (2025-26).
Additional improvements are being considered in association with the McLaren 2020 Bond Planning project , including fitness stations and seating at viewing locations.
Project Schedule
Phase | Timeline |
|---|---|
Recreation and Parks Commission, Capital Committee hearing | June 1, 2023 |
Recreation and Parks, Full Commission | June 15, 2023 |
Board of Supervisors, passed unanimously | October 24, 2023 |
Mayor London Breed signs into law | November 3, 2023 |
Project Updates
If you would like to sign-up for Project Update blog posts like the ones below, click here , scroll down to the News Flash section, and then select “RPD Park Improvements | All Project Updates” to receive updates on all our active projects, or pick-and-choose your blog subscriptions by project name. You’ll receive an email that includes a link to confirm your new subscription for each blog for which you sign-up.
Project Update Blog
McLaren Park | Project update, July 2025
Starting in late 2022, Rec and Park conducted extensive community and stakeholder engagement to get feedback on how to prioritize the investment of $6 million from the 2020 Health and Recovery Bond in McLaren Park. Throughout June and July 2025, we Read on…
Let’sPlaySF! Initiative | Take the Let’sPlaySF! Playground Survey open through January 31, 2025
Thanks to the successful Let’sPlaySF! Initiative funded by the 2012 Park Bond, SF Parks Alliance, and philanthropic partners we are renovating 13 dilapidated playgrounds across our city. With 11 playgrounds already beautifully renovated and two more Read on…
McLaren Park | McLaren Park Collaborative meeting, November 18, 6:30 pm
Rec and Park staff will share various capital project updates at the virtual McLaren Collaborative meeting this evening, Monday 11/18, starting at 6:30 pm Read on…
McLaren Park – Shelley Promenade | Parking area opening near Mansell Street
Rec and Park is happy to announce the opening of a small parking area on John Shelley Drive West near Mansell Street at the Field of Dogs. Accessed from Mansell Street to the south, the area will accommodate over 20 vehicles, parked parallel to the Read on…
McLaren Trails Improvement Project | Tree work starts along Visitacion Ave the week of February 19
For the last four years, the Recreation and Park Department has been engaging neighbors and other stakeholders, developing designs, and working through regulatory compliance for priority trail improvements and natural features restoration in McLaren Park Read on…
Shelley Promenade Project in McLaren Park | Board of Supervisors Vote to Make Promenade Permanent
The Shelley Promenade in McLaren Park is now a permanent pedestrian promenade after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors signed the conversion into law on October 24. This nearly half-mile stretch of Read on…
Shelley Promenade Project in McLaren Park | Board of Supervisors review, next Monday, Oct 2, 1:30pm
In June 2023, SF Recreation and Park Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the conversion of a section of John Shelley Drive in McLaren Park, from a vehicular roadway to a permanent pedestrian and bicycle promenade Read on…
Louis Sutter Playground | Construction update July 2023
A quick construction update on Louis Sutter Playground. We passed our accessibility inspections and construction fencing is coming down soon Read on…
Complete the McLaren Park 2020 Bond Planning priorities survey
We’ve created a new map-based survey to collect your thoughts on possible programming, infrastructure, and connectivity improvements in John McLaren Park. Please take 15-20 minutes Read on…
Shelley Promenade Project in McLaren Park | Reminder: Proposal at Rec & Parks Commission tomorrow
The Recreation and Parks Commission will hear the proposed Shelley Promenade Project tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Read on…
Shelley Promenade Project in McLaren Park | Proposal goes to Recreation and Parks Commission in June
The Operations Committee of the Recreation and Parks Commission will hear the proposed Shelley Promenade Project Read on…
John Shelley Drive in McLaren Park – Virtual Community Meeting
Please join us in discussing the future of John Shelley Drive, including a proposed car-free promenade segment . . . Read on…
Virtual Community Meeting, April 11 | McLaren 2020 Bond – Possible Projects and Priorities
Join us for a Virtual Community Meeting on April 11. The project team will share possible project ideas for specific program areas, infrastructure improvements, and Read on…
SF Rec and Park Commission Meeting at Joe Lee Rec Center | March 16 at 10 a.m.
Come meet your Rec and Park Commissioners at our offsite Commission meeting at Joe Lee Rec Center Read on…
People want a Promenade | McLaren Park - John Shelley Drive
Thanks to the 40 people who attended the virtual community meeting on February 23rd! We discussed Read on…
Visitacion Avenue Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Project, Site Walk 8/25 at 6pm
Please join Rec and Park and SFMTA staff for a site walk to review design options proposed for slowing traffic and . . . Read on…
Please take a short survey regarding Visitacion Avenue Pedestrian and Streetscape Improvements
Please take a moment to fill out a survey about improvements you would like to . . . Read on…
Visitacion Avenue Sidewalk & Streetscape Meeting Recap
The virtual meeting, held on Thursday, February 10 reviewed previous planning efforts that included the roadway through McLaren Park. Read on…
McLaren Park Pedestrian, Bike and Streetscape Projects Community Meeting 2/10!
Please join us for a Virtual Community Meeting to discuss improvements to Visitación Ave in McLaren Park including . . . Read on…
Documents and Materials
Commission Materials
- San Francisco Board of Supervisors, ORDINANCE NO. 222-23, Ordinance amending the Park Code to restrict private vehicles from a portion of John F. Shelley Drive, between the Upper Reservoir Parking Lot and Mansell Street, in McLaren Park, October 23, 2023; Mayor London Breed signs into law, November 3, 2023 (PDF)
- Rec Park Commission staff report for Shelley Promenade, June 1, 2023 (PDF)
- Rec Park Commission, staff presentation to Operations Committee, June 1, 2023 (PDF)
Community Meetings - Notes and Presentations
Additional Project Documents