Local
Lower Haight Parklet Dismantled After Neighbor Complaints, Leaving Community Divided
A community-built parklet at Page and Fillmore streets was removed this week following months of complaints about drug use and vandalism, exposing tensions over shared public space in the Lower Haight.
A parklet at Page and Fillmore streets in the Lower Haight was removed this week after a series of neighbor complaints, leaving residents divided over the loss of a community gathering spot.
The parklet, funded by a city grant and built in 2023 by neighbors, was part of San Francisco's Shared Spaces program, which allows community members and businesses to create outdoor areas. Community-run parklets must be open 24 hours, maintained by permit holders, and require annual consent from neighbors.
Stewards Molly Hayden and Jess Jenkins say the removal stems from a provision that allowed a single neighbor's opposition to undo a space supported by many. Complaints about drug use, loitering, and vandalism began to intensify about eight months ago, according to a person who called from a blocked number and declined to give their name or location, citing fear of doxxing.
The removal has stirred discord in a neighborhood typically known for its tight-knit character. The space is now just another parking spot, but the debate over how to balance public safety concerns with community-building efforts continues.