URBAN WALK & TALKS
Shaping San Francisco explores freeway routes
Most of these were stopped by the 1956-66 Freeway Revolt, some came down in the wake of the 1989 earthquake
And special offsite events at various locations (see below)
Continuing our experiments with new kinds of programming, rooted in the pandemic motivating us to pioneer our "Walk 'n' Talk" Urban Forums, this fall we are exploring San Francisco's Freeway Revolt through routes never built, and some unbuilt. All three urban hikes are opportunities to enjoy these unique routes through lesser traveled parts of San Francisco with interesting and curious people. We will be joined by SFSU geographer and author Jason Henderson on at least one of these, and we hope all of you have thought about traffic and urban design will come along. Bring friends and family, or make new friends along the way! And feel free to bring YOUR knowledge of the history of these parts of the City, as Shaping San Francisco will do its best to fill in some surprising bits and pieces along the way. Join us for these explorative adventures with old friends and longtime collaborators. BYOB and snacks to share if you are so inclined.
Saturday, October 4, 12-3 pm
Freeway Plan Routes: Never Built—Panhandle
An Urban Walk & Talk
Join Shaping San Francisco and friends for a spirited hike and rambling conversation(s) as we traverse the Panhandle freeway route, seeing the hundreds of buildings that would have been destroyed, and imagining a world without the Panhandle Park, instead seeing a freeway interchange as it plunged into a tunnel beneath Golden Gate Park. A favorite theme for us to cover, the Freeway Revolt of the 1950s and 1960s, was one of the largest and most successful ongoing citizen protests in San Francisco’s history. The revolt against the California Division of Highways’ plan to extend freeways across the city became the first serious opposition in the nation to the post-WWII consensus on automobiles, freeways, and suburbanization.
RSVP to shaping@foundsf.org
We welcome donations. Donate now!
Sunday, October 5, 9 am
Kayak Tour of Mission Creek
with Friends of Mission Creek (attendance limited!)
with Friends of Mission Creek (attendance limited!)
Travel the last remaining slice of Mission Bay (AKA Mission Creek Channel) by kayak and rowboat. Explore the waterway’s history which the Mission Creek Conservancy made available in Vanished Waters, as well as the transformation of the bay into San Francisco’s newest neighborhood. This is a great and easy opportunity to get on the water with local experts.
This is a free event, but we gladly accept donations. donate now!
Sunday, October 26, 9 am
Kayak Tour of Islais Creek
with Kayaks Unlimited (attendance limited!)
with Kayaks Unlimited (attendance limited!)
Experienced and first-time kayakers are welcome to explore the Islais Creek waterway at the intersection of San Francisco Bay while learning about the history, ecology, and peculiarities of this place. Kayaks and flotation gear provided. Must sign a Kayaks Unlimited waiver.
This is a free event, but we gladly accept donations. donate now!
Saturday, November 15, 12-3 pm
Freeway Plan Routes: Never Built—Western Freeway
An Urban Walk & Talk
A favorite theme for us to cover, the Freeway Revolt of the 1950s and 1960s, was one of the largest and successful ongoing citizen protests in San Francisco’s history. The revolt against the California Division of Highways’ plan to extend freeways across the city became the first serious opposition in the nation to the post-WWII consensus on automobiles, freeways, and suburbanization. While 19th Avenue technically is Highway 1, the stretch from Stonestown to Golden Gate Park would have been a much different animal had the Freeway Plan been realized. Come with us on foot to find out what might have been lost, and what is hard to experience from an automobile even now.
RSVP to shaping@foundsf.org
We welcome donations. Donate now!
Saturday, December 6, 12–3 PM
Freeway Plan Routes: Unbuilt—After 1989
An Urban Walk & Talk
A favorite theme for us to cover, the Freeway Revolt of the 1950s and 1960s, was one of the largest and successful ongoing citizen protests in San Francisco’s history. The revolt against the California Division of Highways’ plan to extend freeways across the city became the first serious opposition in the nation to the post-WWII consensus on automobiles, freeways, and suburbanization. Some of the freeways were partially built, and haven’t stood the test of time, or plate tectonics. Walk from Central Freeway to The Embarcadero with guest guide Jason Henderson, author of Street Fight: The Politics of Mobility in San Francisco, as we explore renewed urban landscapes where once freeways stood.
RSVP to shaping@foundsf.org
We welcome donations. Donate now!