San Francisco gay district to get ‘leather-themed’ park?
Plans have been drawn up for a ‘leather-themed’ plaza at the heart of one of San Francisco’s gay districts.
Initial community plans propose creation of the new plaza in San Francisco’s South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood, outside the Eagle Bar.
The plaza would recognise the area’s ties to the local gay and leather communities, with the floor themed after the black, blue, white and red of the Leather Pride flag.
It would also include street furniture inspired by jungle gym equipment – with benches that double as monkey bars.
A statement on the project’s website says: “Currently called ‘Eagle Plaza’. this public space would commemorate the neighborhood’s LGBTQ heritage by building a permanent plaza on a small portion of 12th Street at Harrison Street.
“The SF Eagle Bar on 12th and Harrison is an historic cornerstone for the leather community and it continues to serve as an active community hub locally and symbol of pride worldwide. The plaza will reflect this history and itself become a community gathering space and symbol of LGBTQ pride.
“The conceptual vision for the plaza is a public gathering space for the neighborhood, a green respite from the city, a place to host special community events, and a way to commemorate the unique LGBTQ history of the surrounding Folsom Gulch area.
“Initial concept drawings, based on feedback received at a community design charrette hosted on September 23rd with community members and representatives from Supervisor Kim’s office and the Planning Department, envision the Plaza becoming a social space focused on active play, social engagement, and serving as an “urban sanctuary”.
“The design is intended to be flexible enough to accommodate community events on evenings and weekends while also serving as a quiet respite from traffic and urban life during the week.”
The San Francisco Supervisor for District 6, Jane Kim, told SFist: “I am super excited about it. I think it is beautiful.”
