Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky has pledged $100 million to San Francisco's parks, the largest single-donor gift in the city's history, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced.
An initial $39 million would go immediately to five projects, with the remaining $61 million supporting additional projects the Recreation and Park Department would identify over the next year, the city said. The funding is subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors and a recommendation by the Recreation and Park Commission. It would cover capital costs plus five years of maintenance and programming.
The first five projects are Rachele Sullivan Park in western SoMa, now aimed to open in late 2028 instead of 2031; expanded pool hours and playground work at Garfield Square in the Mission; a funding gap at India Basin Waterfront Park in Bayview-Hunters Point; a full renovation of Jackson Playground in Potrero Hill; and combining the former Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park into a five-acre waterfront park, with groundbreaking expected in late 2026 and completion in 2028.
Chesky and Lurie announced the gift at Golden Gate Park. Airbnb said the first projects would put an improved park within half a mile of more than 1 in 10 San Franciscans, including 20,000 children and seniors, the company said Nov. 9. Related: Golden Gate Park paid parking and Embarcadero flood risk.