Easy Ways to Improve Your Health in a Garden

Enjoy the View: A landmark study by Roger S. Ulrich, published in the April 27, 1984, issue of Science magazine, found strong evidence that nature helps heal. Ulrich, a pioneer in the field of therapeutic environments at Texas A&M University, found that patients recovering from gallbladder surgery who looked out at a view of trees had significantly shorter hospital stays, fewer complaints, and took less pain medication, than those who looked out at a brick wall.

Plant a Seed, Grow Hope: Planting a seed is an act of hope, that something will grow. "There are many reasons to conclude that gardening may be therapeutic – there is evidence for physical, cognitive and social benefits. However, there may be something in gardening associated with providing hope for those who may have little else to hope for. This might, ultimately, be the most beneficial aspect of gardening therapy." - M. Page, Nursing Times, 11/11/2008.

Decrease Stress: A study conducted by the Tennessee State University found that people who garden regularly believed that the greatest benefit they received from gardening was a significant reduction in the stress they felt in their lives. Another study at Iowa State University concluded that the actions of digging, pruning, cutting, and mulching alleviated stress and tension levels in the body. Need to get out some extra aggression? Try chopping plant stalks for the compost pile or pulling weeds. Tired of people giving you negative feedback? Plants will never call you names or nag you.

Why Refresh?

One of the definitions of "refresh," is to "breathe new life into." In today's fast paced digital world, people are more likely to take the time to refresh the data they're reading on a computer screen then they are to take the time needed to take care of their bodies, minds and spirits.

The Mental Health Services Act, which provides major financial support for SF Refresh, has a goal of expanding access to mental health care for all residents. In San Francisco, it seems like one of the only times we are talking about the need for mental health care is when we are talking about helping the homeless, individuals living in poverty or about individuals whose mental health status is debilitating.

Yet, we all have self care. Some are experiencing good mental health and others, less so. And regardless of how well we are doing today, our mood, need for care and connection to the community will be different next week than it is today.

SF Refresh, hopes to connect all San Franciscans with free whole body care, whether it is to take care of an emergent need, to educate, to provide rest for just one day or simply to help individuals meet their neighbors.

Plus, studies have shown that simply being in a garden setting can be good for your health. So even if you just come to see what SF Refresh is all about and don't participate in any activities, it's good for you.

Some people who are really good at taking care of their spirit, have a hard time taking care of their nutrition. Others are good at taking care of their bodies, but have a lot of anxiety. And those who are good at taking care of all the aspects of their life (I've heard these people exist), may be bored and want to try out some new activities.

Who couldn't use some free self care in some of the cities most beautiful spaces?

We hope you'll join us at the next SF Refresh event on April 16th and enjoy some TLC, after the stress of tax day. Until then, be well!

Saturday, October 15th - Sites and Events

Hayes Valley Farm:
(10-2pm Laguna/Fell)
Free whole body care activities and gardening

*10 am-2 pm: Pet massage
*12 pm: SOS (Singers of the Street) performance
*1 pm: Yoga
*12-2pm TikTina Meditation


The Bayview Roots Garden:
(12-4pm 3rd/Palou)
Free whole body care activities and gardening

Bayview Mission:
(11-1pm at 1547 Jerrold Avenue)
Neighborhood walk and trash pick up

The Growing Home Community Garden:
(12-4pm at Octavia/Lily)
Garden Skill Shares

3 pm: Yoga instruction

Additional Community Gardens that are open for work days during SF Refresh Events:
The Free Farm: Eddy/Gough
+ Garden volunteer hours 10am-2pm

Garden For the Environment:
+ Open to visitors from dawn to dusk
+ Volunteer hours 10am - 4pm

Alice Street Community Garden: at the end of the one-block Lapu-Lapu Street, off Harrison between Third and Fourth streets
+ Open dawn to dusk

Potrero Hill Community Garden, San Bruno Ave/20th Street, Potrero Hill
+ Open dawn to dusk

Fort Mason Community Garden, behind Administration Building, Fort Mason
+ Open dawn to dusk

Saturday, August 20th - Sites and Events

Bayview Mission, 8am-10am (1547 Jerrold Ave): Our day starts in the Bayview Mission Orchard with a meal and brightening our SF community through a trash clean-up.

• 8am Morning Snack and Ritual


• 8:30-10am Bayview Trash Pickup


• 11:30am Lunch

Bayview Roots Garden, 10am-12pm (3rd/Palou): Later in the morning, we will host skill shares on topics like composting and container gardening at the Bayview Roots Garden. There will be a karate demonstration and other activities!

• 10:00am Vertical Garden Pocket Skill Share - Kate Grzeca


• 11am Composting/Worms Skill Share - Ty Campbell


• 11am Sprouting Skill Share - Christopher Delovage

Bayview Opera House, 12pm-3pm (4705 3rd St): Our afternoon in the Bayview begins with a meal and includes a workshop on making garden gnomes, homesteading classes, a chicken care class, music therapy, a singing class, and other arts performances and activities.

• 12pm Lunch


• 12-3pm Qi Gong - Sean Honea


• 12-3pm Pastoral Care - Bishop Rusty Clyma and interfaith spiritual leaders


• 12-3pm Meet the Artist: Mother Earth Exhibit


• 12-3pm We Forgive you Letters


• 12-3pm Parachute Play


• 12pm-3pm How to Care for Chickens - Bayview Opera House Volunteers


• 12pm Sprouting Skill Share - Christopher Delovage


• 12pm Harp Therapy - Jack Pantaleo


• 1pm How to Make Garden Gnomes - Rachel Cassandra of the Revel Art Collective


• 1pm Singing for Children and Youth - Kristen Brown


• 2pm - Intergenerational Meditation - Melissa Lareau


• 2pm - Container Gardening Workshop - Jess Hutch

Hans Schiller Plaza, Visitacion Valley Greenway, 12pm-3pm (Leland/Rutland): We will also share a meal before a karate demonstration, yoga, ukelele, and more!

• 12pm Lunch


• 12:30pm Karate Demonstration


• 1pm Live Music - Sana


• 1:30pm Singing with Children and Youth - Kristen Brown


• 2pm - Karate Demonstration
  

Sponsored by Growing Home Community Garden, a program of Project Homeless Connect, SF Urban Agriculture Alliance, and SF Arts



Other community gardens that are scheduled to be open for regular activities that day.

The Free Farm: Eddy/Gough
+ Garden volunteer hours 10am-2pm

Garden For the Environment:
+ Open to visitors dawn to dusk
+ Volunteer hours 10am-4pm

Alice Street Community Garden: at the end of the one-block Lapu-Lapu Street, off Harrison between Third and Fourth streets
+ Open dawn to dusk

Potrero Hill Community Garden, San Bruno Ave/20th Street, Potrero Hill
+ Open dawn to dusk

Fort Mason Community Garden, behind Administration Building, Fort Mason
+ Open dawn to dusk

Saturday, May 21st - Sites and Events

The May 21st SF Refresh Event will be in Bernal Heights, the Bay View and Visitacion Valley. Confirmed Garden Sights Include (full event calendar for the day at the bottom of the page):

Bayview Walking Trash Pick Up Event: Join community garden volunteers and other members of the neighborhood in picking up trash for your health and the health of the community. Learn more about picking up litter in San Francisco.

• 8am Gathering and Rally (meet at the mural on the 1700 block of Quesada just west of 3rd Street)


• 8:30-9:30am Walk and Trash Pick-up


• 9:30-10am Gathering, Celebration and Closing (meet at the mural on the 1700 block of Quesada just west of 3rd Street)

Hans Schiller Plaza at the Visitacion Valley Greenway Garden: (10am-2pm)Putting the spotlight on Jazz and local merchants, we will be hosting free jazz concerts and other activities in conjunction with the Visitacion Valley Merchants Association (VVMA). VVMA will also be hosting a sidewalk sale in the merchant district around the garden as a part of the city's Small Buisness Week. Featured activities include: , Jazzberry Patch and the "Gerry Grosz Jazz Kitchen."

• 9am Yoga (Flow Style) - Linda Leu


• Sidewalk Sale (10am-2pm)


• 11am Jazzbery Patch


• 11:40-11:55 Rock - Korean Marial Arts demonstration


• 12pm Mad & Eddie Duran "the first couple of instrumental jazz"


• 12:40-1pm Saman (Solo Uke)


• 1pm The Gerry Grosz Jazz Kitchen


• 1pm Yoga (Kripalu Tradition) - Erin Michelle

Alemany Farm: New garden volunteers are encouraged to take an orientation tour of the farm at the beginning of the workday. + Garden Volunteer hours: 12pm-5pm. Free whole body care activities will be held throughout the day, including accupressure, massage, art projects and music.

Other Gardens Open This Day:
The Free Farm: Eddy/Gough
+ Garden volunteer hours 10am-2pm

Garden For the Environment:
+ Open to visitors from dawn to dusk
+ Volunteer hours 10am-4pm

Alice Street Community Garden: at the end of the one-block Lapu-Lapu Street, off Harrison between Third and Fourth streets
+ Open dawn to dusk

Potrero Hill Community Garden, San Bruno Ave/20th Street, Potrero Hill
+ Open dawn to dusk

Fort Mason Community Garden, behind Administration Building, Fort Mason
+ Open dawn to dusk

Saturday, April 16th - Sites and Events

The April 16th event will focus on the gardens and farms in Hayes Valley and the Western Addition: The Hayes Valley Farm, The Free Farm and the Growing Home Community Garden. Participants will be required to sign a waiver in order to enter each garden or farm, but all activities on site throughout the day are free.

Zero Waste Goal: Our event is designed to be a zero waste event. We are working hard to only create and utilize reusable or compostable materials at the garden or farm onsite. Additionally, most of the materials used for the event will divert waste from the dump. Most of the materials and art supplies for the event are from Recology or reused/repurposed materials donations.

We ask all visitors to help us with our goal of zero waste. Please refrain from bringing waste (particularly anything plastic) to SF Refresh or the garden and farm sites.

Art Projects: Several art projects (created by Melissa Lareau and Ilyse Magy) will appear at multiple sites throughout the day. These projects are designed to beautify the garden/farm spaces, inspire wellness and to help us work towards more loving, peaceful, green lives and communities. Projects at the April 16th event include: We Forgive You Letters; Affirmation Murals; Thoughts Matter; Imagination Station; Affirmation and Forgiveness Trees, Trellis and Fences; Meet the Artist: Mother Earth Exhibit; Mural Painting and Sidewalk Chalk Art.

4pm Hour of Meditation and Mindfulness: In partnership with the Interfaith Center at the Presidio, While there will be opportunities for meditation and mindfulness throughout the day, this hour will dedicated only to meditation and mindfulness practices. Join us for interfaith opportunity to try out many types of mindfulness and meditation and find out works for you. We also hope to dramatically increase the amount of positive energy in San Francisco to see if we can make a noticeable difference in the city. Have a meditation or mindfulness practice you'd be willing to lead? Learn more about how to get involved here.

Below you will find a list of all the activities for the day, followed by a list of all the gardens and farms with public hours on April 16th.

All Events (click on the events to find more information and the location)
[Green = Hayes Valley Farm; Purple = Free Farm; Brown = Growing Home Community Garden]:

Gardens open for visiting, not participating in SF Refresh Events on April 16th:
Garden For the Environment:
+ Open to visitors from dawn to dusk
+ Garden volunteer hours from 10am-4pm

Alice Street Community Garden: at the end of the one-block Lapu-Lapu Street, off Harrison between Third and Fourth streets
+ Open dawn to dusk

Visitation Valley Greenway Community Garden: Arleta between Alpha and Rutland, Visitation Valley

Potrero Hill Community Garden, San Bruno Ave/20th Street, Potrero Hill
+ Open dawn to dusk

Fort Mason Community Garden, behind Administration Building, Fort Mason
+ Open dawn to dusk

Sunday, September 25th - Sites & Events

Join us in the Bayview and Hayes Valley at:

The Free Farm: Eddy/Gough

• 10am: Open Cathedral - St. Paulus Lutheran Church

Hayes Valley Farm: 450 Laguna Street (off Fell)

• 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Garden Open to Visitors


• 1:00 pm: Volunteer Orientation


• 1:00 pm and 3:00pm: Site Tours

Learn and Participate in the Following Confirmed Activities: Lunch, Medicinal Qi Gong, Yoga, Interplay, Art and Garden Skill Shares.

Bayview Roots Garden: 3rd/Palou

• 12pm-4pm: Lunch, Music, Meditation and Garden Skills


• Garden Skill Shares

Learn and Participate in the Following Confirmed Activities: Lunch, Container Gardening, and other Garden Skill Shares

Growing Home Community Garden: Octavia/Lily

• 12pm - 3pm: Garden Skill Shares

Additional Garden sites with regular hours on this day:
Garden For the Environment:
+ Open dawn to dusk

Alice Street Community Garden: at the end of the one-block Lapu-Lapu Street, off Harrison between Third and Fourth streets
+ Open dawn to dusk

Potrero Hill Community Garden, San Bruno Ave/20th Street, Potrero Hill
+ Open dawn to dusk

Fort Mason Community Garden, behind Administration Building, Fort Mason
+ Open dawn to dusk

Sunday, July 24th - Sites & Events

Confirmed Sites Include:

• The Bayview Opera House: --- Neighborhood walk and trash pickup (8-10 am)


• Hans Schiller Plaza, Visitacion Valley Greenway Garden: Leland/Rutland --- Jazz Picnic (2-5pm)


• The Free Farm: Eddy/Gough --- Free whole body health care (10-2pm)


• Growing Home Community Garden: Octavia/Lily --- Free whole body health care activities and gardening (12-5pm)


• Hayes Valley Farm: Laguna/Fell --- Free whole body health care activities and gardening (12-5pm)

Gardens/Farms that are scheduled to be open for regular activities that day.

Hayes Valley Farm: 450 Laguna Street
+ Open 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
+ Volunteer Orientation at 1:00 pm
+ Site Tours at 1:00pm and 3:00pm

Garden For the Environment:
+ Open dawn to dusk

Alice Street Community Garden: at the end of the one-block Lapu-Lapu Street, off Harrison between Third and Fourth streets
+ Open dawn to dusk

Potrero Hill Community Garden, San Bruno Ave/20th Street, Potrero Hill
+ Open dawn to dusk

Fort Mason Community Garden, behind Administration Building, Fort Mason
+ Open dawn to dusk

Directions to Garden for the Environment

Located: 7th Avenue and Lawton Street

The buses that have stops nearby include #36 (Forest Hill Station), #43 (Munich & Geneva), and #44 (California & 6th).


Directions to Visitation Valley Greenway:

From the Golden Gate Bridge (driving):

1. Head south on 101.
2. Take exit 438 to merge onto 1-S toward 19th Avenue.
3. Slight left at Crossover Drive.
4. Turn right at Lincoln Way.
5. Make a U-turn at 20th Avenue.
6. Turn right at 7th Avenue.

From the Bay Bridge (driving):

1. Head west on 80.
2. Take exit 1B to merge onto 101-N toward Golden Gate Bridge.
3. Take exit 434A to merge onto 101-N/Mission Street toward Golden Gate Bridge.
4. Keep left at fork, follow signs for Duboce Avenue, and merge onto Duboce Avenue.
5. Slight left at Market Street.
6. Slight right at 17th Street.
7. Turn right at Stanyan Street.
8. Turn left onto Parnassus Avenue.
9. Continue onto Judah Street.
10. Turn left at 7th Avenue.

From the Mission from 16th Street and Harrison (Biking - burns 300 calories!):

1. Head south on Harrison Street.
2. Turn right at 17th Street.
3. Turn right at Sanchez Street.
4. Turn left at Duboce Avenue.
5. Turn right at Steiner Street.
6. Turn left at Waller Street.
7. Turn right at Pierce Street.
8. Turn left at Haight Street.
9. Turn right at Scott Street.
10. Turn left at Fell Street.
11. Slight left at Baker Street.
12. Turn right at Ashbury Street.
13. Turn right at Page Street.
14. Turn left at Clayton Street.
15. Turn right at Waller Street.
16. Turn left at Stanyan Street.
17. Turn right at Kezar Drive.
18. Continue onto 3rd Avenue.
19. Turn right at Hugo Avenue.
20. Turn left at 7th Avenue.

Hayes Valley Farm

450 Laguna Street

Hayes Valley Farm's mission is to serve as a community and agricultural hub encouraging San Francisco residents to connect with one another, grow their own food, and learn about sustainable ecological systems.

After the Loma Prieta in 1989, San Francisco's Central Freeway was compromised. In the years to come the ramps bordered by Laguna, Oak, Fell, and Octavia Streets were closed, and the lot was locked up. On January 24, 2010, the City activated the site for temporary green space use, and the community started pouring in. Learn more.

Gates are Open:

Sundays @ 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Thursdays @ 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Directions to Hayes Valley Farm

Location: 450 Laguna Street

Buses that have a stop nearby include #6 (Ferry Plaza), #71 (Transbay Terminal), and #21 (Steuart Terminal).

Directions to Hayes Valley Farm:

From the Golden Gate Bridge (driving):

1. Head South on 101, continuing onto Doyle Drive, and then onto Lombard Street.
2. Turn right at Webster Street.
3. Turn left at Hayes Street.
4. Turn right at Laguna Street.

From the Bay Bridge (Driving):

1. Head west on 80.
2. Take exit 1B to merge onto 101-N toward Golden Gate Bridge.
3. Contine on Octavia Boulevard.
4. Turn left at Fell Street.
5. Turn left at Laguna Street.

From the Mission from 16th Street and Harrison (Biking - burns 150 calories!):

1. Head north on Harrison Street.
2. Turn left at 15th Street.
3. Turn right at Valencia Street.
4. Turn left at McCoppin Street.
5. Turn left at Market Street.
6. Turn right toward Octavia Street.
7. Turn left at Octavia Street.
8. Turn right at Waller Street.
9. Turn right at Laguna Street.

Garden for the Environment

Garden for the Environment maintains a nationally acclaimed one-acre urban demonstration garden and offers environmental education programs about organic gardening, urban compost systems and sustainable food systems. Since its founding in 1990, the garden has operated as a demonstration site for small-scale urban ecological food production, organic gardening and low water-use landscaping.

Today, GFE’s programs include four central educational elements; a three month intensive Gardening and Composting Educator Training program, monthly Compost Education workshops conducted at the garden and community gardens throughout San Francisco, the Resource Efficient Landscape Education series, and the School Education program offered in partnership with San Francisco Unified School District and San Francisco’s Department of the Environment.
Learn more.

The Garden is located on 7th Avenue at Lawton Street.

Directions to the Free Farm

Location: Corner of Eddy Street and Gough Street

Bus #31 has a stop at this corner.

Directions to The Free Farm:

From the Golden Gate Bridge (driving):

1. Head South on 101, continuing onto Doyle Drive, and then onto Lombard Street.
2. Turn right on Gough Street.

From the Bay Bridge (Driving):

1. Head west on 80.
2. Take exit 1B to merge onto 101-N toward Golden Gate Bridge.
3. Take exit 434A to merge onto 101-N/Mission Street toward Golden Gate Bridge.
4. Turn left at South Van Ness Avenue.
5. Turn left at Turk Street.
6. Turn right at Franklin Street.
7. Turn left at Eddy Street.

From the Mission from 16th Street and Harrison (Biking - burns 150 calories!):

1. Head north on Harrison.
2. Turn left at 12th Street.
3. Turn right at South Van Ness Avenue.
4. Turn left at McAllister Street.
5. Turn right at Buchanan Street.
6. Turn right at Eddy Street.

The Free Farm

The Free Farm is an urban farm founded in January 2010, by a constellation of non-profit organizations in San Francisco. We are located on a 1/3 acre lot on the corner of Gough and Eddy Streets on a parcel loaned to us by St. Paulus Lutheran Church. By the time of this writing (7-13-10) we have built a farm, grown and given away over 1,000 pounds of fresh organic produce, convened gardening and urban homesteading workshops, and hosted community, school, and religious groups. Learn more.

Regular garden workdays: Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am-2pm, to visit the farm or lend a hand. Vegan lunch is shared at noon on work days.

Native Plants (Visitation Valley)

Location: This is #6 on the map to the right. Tioga Avenue between Rutland St. and Delta St.

Directions to the Native Plants lot at the Visitation Valley Greenway Community Garden:

From the Golden Gate Bridge (driving):

1. Head South on 101, continuing onto Doyle Drive, and then onto Lombard Street.
2. Turn right on Webster Street.
3. Turn left at Oak Street.
4. Turn right at Octavia Boulevard.
5. Continue onto 101.
6. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
7. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.
9. Turn right at Rutland Street.
10. Turn left at Tioga Avenue.

From the Bay Bridge (Driving):

1. Head west on 80.
2. Merge onto 101.
3. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
4. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
5. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.
6. Turn right at Rutland Street.
7. Turn left at Tioga Avenue.

From the Mission from 16th Street and Harrison (Biking - burns 300 calories!):

1. Head south on Harrison.
2. Turn left at 22nd Street.
3. Turn right at Hampshire Street.
4. Cross Cesar Chavez Street, making a slight left toward Holladay Avenue.
5. Turn right at Holladay Avenue.
6. Turn left to cross the freeway to Bay Shore Boulevard.
7. Turn right at Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn left at Bacon Street.
9. Turn left at San Bruno Avenue.
10. Turn right at Harkness Avenue.
11. Turn left at Goettingen Street.
12. Turn right at Tioga Avenue.

Agricultural Beds (Visitation Valley)

Location: Corner of Tucker Avenue and Rutland St.


Directions to Agricultural Beds:

From the Golden Gate Bridge (driving):

1. Head South on 101, continuing onto Doyle Drive, and then onto Lombard Street.
2. Turn right on Webster Street.
3. Turn left at Oak Street.
4. Turn right at Octavia Boulevard.
5. Continue onto 101.
6. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
7. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.
9. Turn right at Rutland Street.

From the Bay Bridge (Driving):

1. Head west on 80.
2. Merge onto 101.
3. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
4. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
5. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.
6. Turn right at Rutland Street.

From the Mission from 16th Street and Harrison (Biking - burns 300 calories!):

1. Head south on Harrison.
2. Turn left at 22nd Street.
3. Turn right at Hampshire Street.
4. Cross Cesar Chavez Street, making a slight left toward Holladay Avenue.
5. Turn right at Holladay Avenue.
6. Turn left to cross the freeway to Bay Shore Boulevard.
7. Turn right at Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn left at Bacon Street.
9. Turn left at San Bruno Avenue.
10. Turn right at Wilde Avenue.
11. Turn slightly left at Alpha Street.
12. Turn right at Tucker Avenue.

Playground (Visitation Valley)

Location: Campbell Avenue at Rutland St.

Directions to Playground:

From the Golden Gate Bridge (driving):

1. Head South on 101, continuing onto Doyle Drive, and then onto Lombard Street.
2. Turn right on Webster Street.
3. Turn left at Oak Street.
4. Turn right at Octavia Boulevard.
5. Continue onto 101.
6. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
7. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.
9. Turn right at Rutland Street.

From the Bay Bridge (Driving):

1. Head west on 80.
2. Merge onto 101.
3. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
4. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
5. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.
6. Turn right at Rutland Street.

From the Mission from 16th Street and Harrison (Biking - burns 300 calories!):

1. Head south on Harrison.
2. Turn left at 22nd Street.
3. Turn right at Hampshire Street.
4. Cross Cesar Chavez Street, making a slight left toward Holladay Avenue.
5. Turn right at Holladay Avenue.
6. Turn left to cross the freeway to Bay Shore Boulevard.
7. Turn right at Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn left at Bacon Street.
9. Turn left at San Bruno Avenue.
10. Turn right at Campbell Avenue.

Medicinal Plants (Visitation Valley)

Location: Arleta Avenue between Rutland St. and Alpha St.

Directions to Medicinal Plants:

From the Golden Gate Bridge (driving):

1. Head South on 101, continuing onto Doyle Drive, and then onto Lombard Street.
2. Turn right on Webster Street.
3. Turn left at Oak Street.
4. Turn right at Octavia Boulevard.
5. Continue onto 101.
6. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
7. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.
9. Take the first right onto Alpha Street.
10. Take the first left onto Arleta Avenue.

From the Bay Bridge (Driving):

1. Head west on 80.
2. Merge onto 101.
3. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
4. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
5. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.
6. Take the first right onto Alpha Street.
7. Take the first left onto Arleta Avenue.

From the Mission from 16th Street and Harrison (Biking - burns 300 calories!):

1. Head south on Harrison.
2. Turn left at 22nd Street.
3. Turn right at Hampshire Street.
4. Cross Cesar Chavez Street, making a slight left toward Holladay Avenue.
5. Turn right at Holladay Avenue.
6. Turn left to cross the freeway to Bay Shore Boulevard.
7. Turn right at Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn left at Bacon Street.
9. Turn left at San Bruno Avenue.
10. Turn right at Arleta Avenue.

Greenhouse/Kids' Beds (Visitation Valley)

Location: Raymond Avenue between Rutland St. and Alpha St.

Directions to Greenhouse/Kids' Beds:

From the Golden Gate Bridge (driving):

1. Head South on 101, continuing onto Doyle Drive, and then onto Lombard Street.
2. Turn right on Webster Street.
3. Turn left at Oak Street.
4. Turn right at Octavia Boulevard.
5. Continue onto 101.
   
6. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
   
7. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.

From the Bay Bridge (Driving):

1. Head west on 80.
2. Merge onto 101.
3. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
4. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
5. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.

From the Mission from 16th Street and Harrison (Biking - burns 300 calories!):

1. Head south on Harrison.
   
2. Turn left at 22nd Street.
3. Turn right at Hampshire Street.
4. Cross Cesar Chavez Street, making a slight left toward Holladay Avenue.
5. Turn right at Holladay Avenue.
6. Turn left to cross the freeway to Bay Shore Boulevard.
7. Turn right at Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn left at Bacon Street.
   
9. Turn left at San Bruno Avenue.
   
10. Turn right at Arleta Avenue.
    
11. Turn left at Alpha Street.
    
12. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.

Hans Schiller Plaza (Visitation Valley)

Location: Leland Avenue, between Rutland St. and Alpha St.

Directions to Hans Schiller Plaza:

From the Golden Gate Bridge (driving):

1. Head South on 101, continuing onto Doyle Drive, and then onto Lombard Street.
2. Turn right on Webster Street.
   
3. Turn left at Oak Street.
4. Turn right at Octavia Boulevard.
5. Continue onto 101.
6. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
7. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn right at Leland Avenue.

From the Bay Bridge (Driving):

1. Head west on 80.
   
2. Merge onto 101.
   
3. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
   
4. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
5. Turn right at Leland Ave.

From the Mission from 16th Street and Harrison (Biking - burns 300 calories!):

1. Head south on Harrison.
2. Turn left at 22nd Street.
   
3. Turn right at Hampshire Street.
   
4. Cross Cesar Chavez Street, making a slight left toward Holladay Avenue.
   
5. Turn right at Holladay Avenue.
   
6. Turn left to cross the freeway to Bay Shore Boulevard.
   
7. Turn right at Bay Shore Boulevard.
   
8. Turn left at Bacon Street.
   
9. Turn left at San Bruno Avenue.
   
10. Turn right at Leland Avenue.

Directions to Visitation Valley Garden

The Visitation Valley Greenway Community Garden (VVGCG) is comprised of 6 lots on Arleta between Alpha and Rutland.

Buses that have stops near the Greenway include #9 (San Bruno), #56 (Rutland), and #15 (Third).

Activities at Visitation Valley Greenway will take place at the six different lots. Please see each lots' blog post for more information:

1: Hans Schiller Plaza (directions)

2: Greenhouse/Kids' Beds (directions)

3: Medicinal Plants (directions)

4: Playground (directions)

5: Agricultural Beds (directions)

6: Native Plants (directions)

Directions to Visitation Valley Greenway:

From the Golden Gate Bridge (driving):

1. Head South on 101, continuing onto Doyle Drive, and then onto Lombard Street.
2. Turn right on Webster Street.
3. Turn left at Oak Street.
4. Turn right at Octavia Boulevard.
5. Continue onto 101.
6. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
7. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.
9. Take the first right onto Alpha Street.
10. Take the first left onto Arleta Avenue.

From the Bay Bridge (Driving):

1. Head west on 80.
2. Merge onto 101.
3. Take exit 429B toward Cow Palace.
4. Follow signs for Bayshore Blvd. S and merge onto Bay Shore Boulevard.
5. Turn right at Raymond Avenue.
6. Take the first right onto Alpha Street.
7. Take the first left onto Arleta Avenue.

From the Mission from 16th Street and Harrison (Biking - burns 300 calories!):

1. Head south on Harrison.
2. Turn left at 22nd Street.
   
3. Turn right at Hampshire Street.
4. Cross Cesar Chavez Street, making a slight left toward Holladay Avenue.
5. Turn right at Holladay Avenue.
6. Turn left to cross the freeway to Bay Shore Boulevard.
7. Turn right at Bay Shore Boulevard.
8. Turn left at Bacon Street.
   
9. Turn left at San Bruno Avenue.
10. Turn right at Arleta Avenue.

Growing Home Community Garden

Winner of the 2010 NEN Community Challenge Grant Award, the Growing Home Community Garden’s (GHCG) mission is to provide a community garden where both homeless and housed San Franciscans work side-by-side to grow nutritious food, access green space, and build community.

53% of the gardening work at GHCG is done by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Project Homeless Connect, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, Department of Public Works, San Francisco Clean City Coalition, Farms to Grow, the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, and many others, are working to make Growing Home a functional, sustainable, and educational green space while increasing efficient use of the city’s resources for our homeless population.

Seeding Resilience is the Growing Home Community Garden's (GHCG) new project to increase access to mental health services and increase employment opportunities and skills. A two year innovation project with major support provided by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the Seeding Resilience project is 75% focused on the GHCG (Octavia & Lily) and 25% on Urban Agricultural leaders in San Francisco to build a citywide network of support for mental health consumers.

Visitation Valley Greenway Community Garden

The Visitation Valley Greenway Community Garden (VVGCG) is comprised of 6 lots on Arleta between Alpha and Rutland. 4 of the lots are fully ADA accessible. VVGCG is a model of how city and neighborhood groups can work together to create green spaces, provide educational opportunities, divert rainwater that would otherwise end up in the sewers and create a laboratory for the communities gardening needs.

Below, check out photos of the 6 lots that make up the community garden:

Playground and park space
Agriculture beds Green House and Kids Raised Beds
Herbal garden
Natural plants
Hans Schiller Plaza