Our landscape is shifting.

When the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the on and off ramps to San Francisco’s Central Freeway, community members fought against rebuilding the freeway. Instead of freeway overpasses filled with traffic, they wanted more livable space.

Members of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association successfully worked with the City to develop a long-term plan for the neighborhood. The plan included building more housing and expanding Octavia into a grand boulevard with green space and a playground.

The housing plans were stalled with the economic downturn of 2008. This meant that, two decades after the earthquake, the empty lot at Laguna and Oak remained vacant. In January 24, 2010, the City activated the site for temporary green space use. The slump in the economy meant that, not only was land available for short-term use, people were available, seeking new skills and ways to engage.

Tens of thousands of visitors poured into 450 Laguna to transform the site into an urban commons, replete with fruit forests, bio-intensive cultivation practices and community gathering spaces. That was the beginning of Hayes Valley Farm.

1989

Loma Prieta Earthquake damages pillars of the Central Freeway
“Timeline/A look back at Octavia St. and the Central Freeway”
SF Gate, 10/20/04

2003

San Francisco’s Central Freeway ramp demolition begins
“Fell St. off-ramp to bite the dust: Last step in Hayes Valley transformation”
San Francisco Chronicle, 3/19/03

2007

21 years after an earthquake compromised the Central Freeway
“Removing Freeways, Restoring Cities“
Preservation Institute, 2007

2009

Over 7 years since the last remains of the structure were removed
“Revisiting the San Francisco Freeway Revolt“
SF Streetsblog, 6/11/09

Mayor signs Directive on Healthy and Sustainable Food for SF
“Newsom’s fresh idea: mandates on healthier food“
San Francisco Chronicle, 7/9/09

2010

Mayor proposes green development agreements for interim use of vacant lots
“Myriad ideas to fill void of empty lots”
San Francisco Chronicle, 1/26/10

Office of Economic & Workforce Development considers interim use for a farm in Hayes Valley
“Building a Farm Where a Freeway Used to Be”
SF Streetsblog, 2/8/10

San Francisco Parks Trust becomes fiscal sponsor of the project
“Urban Oasis: A farm in Hayes Valley works to create sustainable agriculture in the middle of San Francisco”
[X]press, 3/16/10

Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association likes the idea
“Neighborhood Focus on Earth Day“
Hayes Valley Farm, 4/22/10

Gates open at Hayes Valley Farm
“Jan 22 – Prep Day“
Hayes Valley Farm, 1/22/10

The farm grows organically
“Hayes Valley: A Former Freeway Turns into a Farm“
GOOD, 3/18/10

Interim-use gardens thrive in Hayes Valley
“Crops dot fallow S.F. spots until backhoes come“
SF Chronicle, 6/15/10

Interim space: an opportunity to explore
“Flowers on the Freeway”
Exploratorium, 8/27/10

2011

Permaculture grows nationally
“The Permaculture Movement Grows from the Underground”
New York Times, 7/27/11

Hayes Valley Farm posts transition statement
“Dear Supporters of Hayes Valley Farm“
Poster on Hayes Valley Farm gate, 7/11/11

Amended zoning legislation supports urban agriculture
“San Francisco Passes Progressive Urban Agriculture Policy”
Civil Eats, 4/14/11

2013