Leader Profile: Anne Seeman

Anne received a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. She moved to Visitacion Valley in 1991, and lives in a former bakery which local lore claims was the only bakery to survive the 1906 Earthquake.

With the birth if her daughter in 1994, Anne became interested in creating a better neighborhood for her daughter to grow up in. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the city Recreation and Parks Department initiated a series of meetings at this time, to help the community organize and prioritize goals for parks and open space. Anne was a founding member of the Friends of Visitacion Valley Parks, and advocated for her community at City Hall and McLaren Lodge.

Inspired by this process, Anne came up with the initial vision for the Greenway, and together with Rebecca Lillis of TPL, mapped a conceptual plan giving each of the 6 lots its unique theme. A petition drive was launched to build support for the plan, as the lots at that time were threatened with development. During this time, Anne met Fran and Jim, whose artwork and meticulous design have raised the Greenway to an aesthetic standard beyond that of most neighborhood parks anywhere. The Greenway continues to be a collaboration of neighbors, city departments and nonprofit organizations. It is a laboratory of possibilities, enriched by all who participate.

Anne is a co-coordinator of programs on the Greenway, and works with children, youth, and adult volunteers. She teaches cooking and art to children. She is currently seeking interviews with community members who would like to share gardening tips, recipes and folklore, representing the diverse cultures of our community, potentially for a childrens' book. She has served on the Board of the Visitacion Valley Community Center, is currently on the Board of the Visitacion Valley Planning Alliance, and is a member of the Schlage Lock Redevelopment Citizens' Advisory Committee. Other pursuits include playing steel guitar with the Tin Pan Haoles, and banjo with Murray's Banjo Racketeers.

Leader Profile: Fran Martin

Fran received and M.A. in Art in 1973. She fabricated and exhibited sculpture until 1995 and was represented by John Berggruen Gallery. Her work is in the collections of the San Francisco Airport and City of San Francisco, as well as many private collections

Since 1994, she has been co-founder of the award winning Visitacion Valley Greenway Project (VVGP). She has been responsible for co-ordination of volunteers, fund raising, design and construction on behalf of the community, as well as working as a teacher on site with children, youth and adults. She contributed significantly to the design, implementation of signature art pieces and identity of the Visitacion Valley Greenway gardens. She created 2 of the Greenway's gates, weir walls, tile work and patios with columns sites.

She is Chairperson of the Visitacion Valley Planning Alliance (VVPA), which was created in 1999. VVPA has advocated for community planning to bring neighborhood serving retail (particularly a food market), jobs, housing, open space and neighborhood services to the community with an emphasis on aesthetically pleasing development.

Fran has served on many boards and advisory committees including being a board member of San Francisco Parks Trust, and Friends of the Urban Forest (past) and a member of the Visitacion Valley Redevelopment Area and SF Transportation Authority Citizen Advisory committees. She serves as a consultant on the Design Review Committee at SFO.

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.

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