Noe Valley parking lot begins transformation into city park

City officials Thursday cut the ribbon on a new park in Noe Valley that will provide a home for a weekly farmers’ market and other community events.

Noe Valley Town Square, a former parking lot on the 24th Street corridor, was acquired by the city with $4.2 million from the Open Space Acquisition Fund.

The asphalt parking lot was converted into an open plaza with an edge garden, children’s play area, seating, landscaping, irrigation and lighting. The space can accommodate a weekly farmers’ market and other community events, officials said.

The $2.8 million capital project was paid for in part by a $740,000 federal Land and Water Conversation Fund grant and $650,000 in city funds, as well as a $565,000 state Urban Greening Grant.

Supervisor Scott Wiener, who helped secure the funding for the site and park project, said he was “thrilled” to celebrate the park’s opening:

“This truly was a labor of love by the Noe Valley community, and I’m proud to have worked with everyone to make this park the new heart of Noe Valley and permanent home to our beloved Farmers Market.”