The city announced the commitment Monday. The funds will arrive in two phases: an initial $39 million to complete five park projects in South of Market, Bayview-Hunters Point, the Mission, Potrero Hill and downtown, and $61 million that parks officials will spend a year determining how best to use.

The donation marks a significant expansion of Lurie's strategy of supplementing city programs with private-sector money. Lurie, who led a major Bay Area charity before becoming mayor, has repeatedly sought business and philanthropic support for initiatives on the economy, homelessness and drug addiction. That reliance on wealthy donors has drawn criticism from progressives who question whether contributors' interests align with those of ordinary residents.

Lurie has also urged local companies to deepen their involvement in the city as it confronts an affordability crisis amid the AI boom. But such requests have not always succeeded: in June, OpenAI politely declined Lurie's invitation to partner on a civic initiative, according to documents obtained by the Chronicle.

Chesky said he felt compelled to give back because of Airbnb's success. The short-term rental company, which he helped found in San Francisco nearly two decades ago, is now worth more than $100 billion, and Chesky's personal fortune is about $13 billion, according to Forbes.

"A lot of my success I feel like I could attribute to the magic that is San Francisco—the community, the incredible people here," Chesky said. "I love this city and I, for a long time, have wanted to give back, and it was really a matter of how to give back."

Chesky, a member of a business leaders' council that advises Lurie on economic issues, said he worked with the mayor's team for several weeks to determine how to deploy the funds. He was drawn to parks because they are "accessible to everyone" and the impact will be visible "very quickly." The administration selected the projects for the first wave of funding.

The donation also signals confidence in Lurie, whom Chesky called "one of the most extraordinarily effective mayors I've ever worked with or encountered." He praised the mayor's team as "very committed and very professional" and said he hoped his gift would be "a source of inspiration" for others.

"If others are interested in giving gifts to the city or working with Mayor Lurie, I would encourage it," Chesky said. "I feel really confident about how this money is going to be utilized. I think they have an incredible team."

Lurie said in a statement that San Francisco's park system offers beauty, recreation and crucial after-school programs that families depend on.

"Access to these opportunities shouldn't depend on what neighborhood you live in or how much money your family makes," Lurie said. "With this new funding, we're bringing those opportunities to more neighborhoods across our city, expanding access to recreation, and making our parks even better for the families who use them. To every leader who sees what Brian has done today: Our city is coming back, and you also have an opportunity not to watch from the sidelines but to be part of it."

One key project benefiting from the donation is the planned Rachele Sullivan Park on a half-acre site on 11th Street in west SoMa. The new funds will allow the park to open in late 2028 instead of 2031, according to the city. Once complete, it will include a half-basketball court, a children's play area, shaded seating and a fitness area.

The city will also use the money to upgrade Garfield Square Park and Recreation Center in the Mission, including opening the facilities on Sundays. In Bayview-Hunters Point, the funds will close a gap allowing the city to finish the next phase of India Basin Waterfront Park, adding a gravel beach, boathouse, playground and basketball courts. In Potrero Hill, the money will fully renovate Jackson Playground. And the donation will assist with the makeover of Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park across from the Ferry Building.

The park projects are not the first local open spaces to attract major philanthropy. Presidio Tunnel Tops, for example, benefited from $98 million in private funding and has become one of the city's most prominent attractions since opening in 2022.

"This is a game-changing investment in San Francisco's parks and people," said Sarah Madland, general manager of the city parks department. "It means long-awaited park projects move forward, more spaces for children and families to play, and stronger, more connected neighborhoods."

Madland thanked Chesky for "helping turn community visions into lasting public benefits for generations to come."

Chesky said he would "love to be more involved in San Francisco" going forward.

"I don't have an immediate plan beyond this, but I absolutely would love to continue to help the city," he said. "This is a first step … and I want to learn from it. And based on what I learn, that will probably guide what I do next."