Carol is an 80 year old senior who loves exploring Golden Gate Park. As her ability to walk deteriorated, Carol found an electric mobility scooter to extend her range. She’s still working on seeing all ten lakes in Golden Gate Park, and relies on the safety of car free spaces to get there.

“Whether cars exclude other people with disabilities is not something I can pronounce upon. It seems crazy to me — if the cars are here, it excludes me. So it works the other way.”

Holly is a mom of three, including her severely disabled son, Trevor. Before Great Highway was a park, there was no place where Holly and her family could enjoy the coast together. Now, you can find Holly and Trevor enjoying the oceanfront promenade together nearly every day that the Great Highway is car free.

“It’s changed our lives…you don’t get access to [the ocean] if you’re in a wheelchair or in a stroller.”

Kingston is a 12 year old who built his own bicycle and comes to Golden Gate Park to practice wheelies away from the threat of violence in his neighborhood.

“We like to come to Golden Gate Park because a lot of us come from violent neighborhoods, and we want to ride here because it’s safer for us to ride here and have fun.”

James is a father of two who believes that using alternative transportation is critical to fighting climate change. He relies on car free JFK and Slow Streets to safely teach his four year old daughter that you can navigate the city without a car.

“You can’t build a community based on cars just traveling through your neighborhood, right? To build a community you have to have people stop and talk to one other…”

David is known in San Francisco as the Godfather of Skate. He has been fighting for a safer, more inclusive, and car free Golden Gate Park for decades. David also leads free skating programming in underserved San Francisco neighborhoods.

“San Francisco is a very special city… Golden Gate park puts a magnifying glass on that… because the roadway is being transformed into a recreational space.”

Gene is a father of three and a mentor to inner city youth. Because many of the youth come from violent neighborhoods, Gene brings them to Golden Gate Park to bike and play without the danger of cars or gun violence.

“Places like these are a safe haven for inner city youth because we can come here and get away.”

Heidi is a mom of two who used to rely on her car to get her family around San Francisco. The introduction of Great Highway Park and Slow Streets opened up the possibility for Heidi’s family to safely commute by bicycle, and they’ve been hooked ever since.

“A couple years into having [Great Highway Park], the neighborhood is just catching onto the potential of this space. There is so much that could happen here and […] I think we’re just starting to scratch the surface…”

Has your life been positively impacted by JFK, GHP, or Slow Streets? Do you want to help save our Community Spaces?

Send us a note and we’ll get in touch to hear your story. We want to hear all stories — big and small! Send us an email now (it takes less than 5 seconds).

Know a friend or neighbor who uses our city’s Community Spaces and may be willing to share their perspective?

Send them a note and we’ll happily connect with them to help share their story. You can also send us an email with their contact information and we’ll reach out directly.