"It used to be that the neighborhood was a quiet neighborhood with plenty of parking", comments one Mission Terrace neighbor.

With the growth of the population, the uptick of people driving to park to Mission Terrace to use public transportation, and the increase of adult children staying at home longer (among other reasons), those days of vast areas for street parking have fallen by the wayside.  Currently, there are several large-scale residential projects in the works; including a large development at the southeast (with limited parking included) and southwest (with zero parking included) corners of the neighborhood. [NOTE: NMTIA is working on getting a complete map of all proposed developments. A partial list can be found on our "Proposed Developments" page. Updates welcomed.]

However, there are other considerations which also impact people's lives in the neighborhood; this includes the cost of the annual permits (currently $136 per permit, and increasing rates for the 3rd or 4th vehicles per address), the concerns that people might try and use the alleyways for parking, the wishes that more people use their garages for parking (instead of for storage or living space), and the concerns with larger numbers of people living within single households. 

THE SFMTA PARKING PROGRAM

The methods and decision-making have varied for Residential Parking Permit (RPP). In some neighborhoods, local residents filed petitions, in others it was neighborhood councils that pushed for change, local businesses get into the action, and (as in our case) surveys may be collected. The end results also vary. Some neighborhoods have opted for parking meters, and if permits have been agreed upon the hours and length of time for each permit zone may also vary street by street.

In most parking-permit neighborhoods, two permits are issued per household at the base rate. Additional permits can be purchased at an increased rate. There are also programs to manage visitors, medical & childcare givers, business owners, active duty military persons, students, and more. Click HERE for further information.

DEADLINE LOOMING

While the survey was sent out to all District 11 residents, the collected information will be analyzed and (if warranted) decisions may be made on a smaller geographic basis. As just one example; if the majority of households in Excelsior proper opted in, and the majority in Mission Terrace opted out, then the Excelsior folks might get permits and the overflow cars might park in Mission Terrace... or the reverse could occur.

Deciding and implementing a parking program typically is a multi-year process.  Yet the deadline for residents to respond to the survey is soon (March 30th, 2019.)

Whatever residents want, the hope that enough neighbors turn in their mailed surveys or respond online (link HERE) so a deeper understanding of the wishes and desires of our neighborhood go into the final decisions.

If there are any questions about the survey, SFMTA requests that you reach out to them at InfoRPP@sfmta.com

Social media was all a chatter, Havelock Street was packed bumper to bumper, and people streamed in from all angles. That's right, the anticipation was finally over and Balboa Pool was to be open again on Saturday, February 23rd.

The swimming pool in Mission Terrace's Balboa Park was founded in 1959, had been in need of renovations and ADA accessibility upgrades. Funding was secured and the pool was closed back in October of 2016 to begin work for what was supposed to be a one-year project. Almost 2 years and 4 months later (delays largely due to disputes with PG&E) the pool was opening again... with much fanfare.

SF Rec & Park was on hand with free giveaways and people wanted through the new building. High above the swimming pool and enjoyed by spectators lining the pool, was an enormous mural titled All My Friends At Once, by artist Jason Jägel, funded but he city's two-percent-for-art funding, which included nods to the neighborhoods close to the pool.

Speeches were given by San Francisco's Mayor London Breed, District 11 Supervisor Ahashi Safai, NMTIA's Board Present David Hooper, and many more.

After the speeches were completed, Mayor Breed lead a countdown to the first plunge into the pool, to rousing cheers all around, followed by an impressive show by the San Francisco Merionettes, an award-winning synchronized swimming club formed in 1956.  This was followed by a free open swim for anyone who wanted to brave the crowds.

If swimming wasn't your thing, then no worries as there were plenty of outdoor activities as well; giant bubble-blowing, bean bag tosses, and a bunch house.

​All-in-all, it was a fantastic day for the neighborhood.

During a rainy Thursday morning in Mission Terrace, a car could be seen stopping by homes throughout the neighborhood; the driver jumping out into the rain to drop off Valentine's cards given by their fellow neighbors.

The "Spread Some Love" project began last year, with the goal of spreading positivity in the world by starting right here in our own neighborhood. The project started small, with just a handful of participants last year, yet more than doubling in size for 2019.

How the program works: In January, announcements are sent out via social media and email, alerting MT residents to the project. Participants were provided with an online form, which required the address of the participant (the person who wanted a card sent) and the address where the card was to be delivered, so that NMTIA could ensure card were being sent to & from MT residents. Participants had the option to add a special note if they desired. All cards were delivered by hand on Valentine's Day.

All-in-all, this year's project was a success!

Walking through Mission Terrace during the first couple of weeks in February, you may have noticed pieces of the sidewalk missing, with signs up saying "FRIENDS OF THE URBAN FOREST." (aka "FUF.")

FUF is an amazing San Francisco p501(c)(3) which helps individuals and neighborhood groups plant and care for street trees and sidewalk gardens in San Francisco. This "green infrastructure" improves our city by beautifying neighborhoods, cleaning the air, and reducing polluted stormwater runoff. Since 1981, FUF has brought communities together to plant more than 60,000 trees, totaling almost half of the city's street tree canopy.

On February 9th through the 11th, in partnership with Mission Terrace residents and Friends of the Urban Forest, more than 50 trees were planted in our neighborhood!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this event. Can't wait to see what it'll look like in 10 years! If you are interested in having a tree planted of a sidewalk garden installed in front of your house, reach out to FUF. It's easy and affordable!

On 01/15/2019, Redfin name Mission Terrace in San Francisco, as the 3rd hottest neighborhoods in the US for 2019. 

Of course those of us who have been lucky enough to live here, understand that the value of our neighborhood goes far beyond the price of houses here. Between our annual Pasta Dinner in the Alley, our Halloween block parties, Spread Some Love projects, Garden Tours, and all-around neighborliness (the likes of which this writer has not experienced in any other SF neighborhood), it' no wonder that people are starting to realize how great it is to live here!

FROM THE ARTICLE:
Mission Terrace, San Francisco, CAMedian sale price: $1,260,000
Median sale price for metro area: $1,340,000
Average sale-to-list price ratio: 116.5%
Percent of homes that sold above list price: 81.8%
“Mission Terrace is composed of picturesque homes, flat lots and quiet streets. It has plenty of commuter options and it’s close to several big grocery stores,” said Redfin agent Carlos Barrientos. “It’s become more desirable in the last year for a very simple reason: improvements to Balboa Park, an adjacent city park.”

The streets of Mission Terrace took Halloween to a whole other level this year! From the haunted house on Cotter Street that has been around for 30 years, to the blocked-off streets of Delano, San Gabriel, and Otsego, Mission Terrace is turning into a Halloween destination for the kiddos.

This year, the residents of Delano Street, secured a grant to enhance the festivities even further.  In addition to the trick-or-treating, activities included a photo booth, street games, a fire truck, and haunted house. More than 300 people were in attendance this year... triple the amount from just a year ago! 

Sponsored by Roxie Food Center, the Mission Terrace Improvement association was able to put on another wonderful neighborhood parade and picnic. Mary Harris was our Grand Marshall this year, leading the parade on top of a San Francisco Fire Department ladder truck. Very special guests included Mayor London Breed, District Supervisor Ahsha Safai, and State Senator Scott Weiner.

The parade started at 100 Capistrano, winded through the Mission Terrace neighborhood, and ended with a picnic at Balboa Park. The Neighborhood Empowerment Network was there to help educated the neighborhood (via a fun game) be prepared for emergencies, and entertainment was there for the kiddos.

Special thanks to our amazing volunteers including the Cayuga Improvement Association.

What a great day!

Lawn chairs, popcorn, kids, pups, soda, laughter, blankets, and cheers were all part of a fantastic 2nd annual Movie Night in the Park. Special thanks to the Dark Horse
​Inn for sponsoring this event for the neighborhood.

REPUBLISHED FROM INGLESIDE-EXCELSIOR LIGHT.
​By CAMERON A. EHRING
CONTRIBUTOR

Mission Terrace residents opened their homes to the public on Sunday, May 6, for the second annual Mission Terrace Garden Tour, featuring 21 households, homemade treats and good company.
            Each participating household was numbered on a map and made available both online, as well as printed for visitors at some of the highlighted homes. The map recommended one possible route along the tour, however visitors were encouraged to forge their own paths.
            “This is a community-building event,” said participant Kerry Evensong.
            Evensong stood with her friendly dog, Mr. Jake, at the end of a brick path marked with a colorful banner and chalk. Her husband, David Rew, enthusiastically offered visitors homemade pizza from a miniature pizza oven nestled among the plants and darted in between his cooking spaces.
            Her garden patio splits the property’s bedrooms from the kitchen and dining areas. Miner’s Lettuce and other local varieties of vegetation are liberally displayed in pots in every corner of the yard.
             “It’s truly the open living home,” Evensong said.
          Evensong is also in charge of social media for the annual tour and other Mission Terrace community events. She described the small neighborhood as a surprisingly active community.
            “One little girl has even opened a lemonade stand at one of the houses in the tour,” Evensong said, explaining that the young Mission Terrace local wishes to donate some of her modest proceeds to the community to help fund further events.
            The tour was started by longtime Mission Terrace resident Martha Arnaud, who was inspired by the annual garden walk in San Francisco’s Portola neighborhood.
            “I made fliers and knocked om people’s doors,” Arnaud said, describing how she first began reaching out to her neighbors.
            As many members of the neighborhood began new gardens fairly recently, Arnaud expects the number of gardens in the tour next year to grow.
            Arnaud’s own entryway was open to the public and led tour goers through her kitchen to a brightly lit patio with stairs leading down to a cozy terraced garden. A miniature meditation labyrinth sits perfectly placed at the top of a mossy brick stairway and a swing lies tucked in the overgrown vegetation.
            Arnaud hopes to see the tour continue to gain momentum long into the future.
            Among those who hosted their gardens for the first time this year, was Audrey Tatsuno. Tatsuno’s backyard garden is lined with colored blown glass spheres and flowers, using some plants from the previous residents garden, explained Tatsuno. It also featured a trough style water fountain filled with goldfish that sat neatly in the shad of the sprawling trees surrounding the yard.
            Tatsuno explained that her garden space was mainly used by her husband, but as visitors flooded her backyard she relished in the conversations starting in her space. By 2 pm. Her yard was bustling with activity as more people joined the tour.
            Another interesting home, hosted by Scott Cataffa, leads through an art studio to a dense Spanish-inspired garden, overlooking the Outer Mission’s rolling hills. Cataffa, a landscape architect, described every plant in the garden with detail revealing diverse assortment of unique plant species varying from San Pedro cactus to a unique lemon tree sourced from Africa. “The planting is a handpicked collection of exotic species from comparable climates around the world,” said Cataffa.
            Among those walking the garden tour were friends Julia Jung-Amesand Mimi Lo, who came to support their friend and fitness instructor who joined the garden tour for the first time this year.
 
For more information, email tour organizers at missionterracegardentour@gmail.com.