Opened in 2024, Bayfront Park is a new 5.5-acre public space transforming San Francisco’s Mission Bay waterfront. Part of the area’s larger redevelopment, the park was inspired by the dismantling of the eastern span of the 1936 Oakland Bay Bridge—a pivotal event that reshaped the neighborhood’s character and identity.
On this walking tour, landscape architects James A. Lord and Michal Kapitulnik of Surfacedesign, joined by David Beaupre of the Port of San Francisco and Luke Stewart of Mission Bay Development Group, will share the story behind the site’s transformation from railyard and maritime industrial use to vibrant public landscape. Learn how cross-disciplinary partnerships, community engagement, and material authenticity have created a resilient park that celebrates history, fosters public life, and restores ecological vitality along San Francisco’s evolving waterfront.
This event is approved for 1 Learning Unit!
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Summarize the social, cultural, technical, and environmental narratives integrated into the design of Bayfront Park.
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Discuss how Bayfront Park addresses sea level rise and other themes of sustainability and resiliency, including flooding, stormwater treatment, water-use, material reuse and maintenance.
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Explore construction methodologies for this waterfront public open space with challenging site conditions, including lightweight fill, geofoam, shoreline protection, etc.
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Identify the various design strategies for universal accessibility implemented at Bayfront Park.
Photo Credits – Marion Brenner