Brooks Park

Brooks Park is a unique hilltop green space located in the Merced Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Situated on the southwestern-most hill in the city, the park offers visitors sweeping panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the Farallon Islands, and Mount Tamalpais.

The park's history dates back to the 1920s when the Brooks family purchased a half-acre site on the hilltop. In 1978, the City of San Francisco acquired the property as parkland, and it has since been expanded to its present size.

Brooks Park is known for its rich biodiversity. The area once supported wildlife such as grizzly bears, elk, and foxes, as well as a wide variety of birds. Today, the park still maintains some of the plants that were once used by Native Americans, including flowers of bulbs like Ithuriel's spear and blue-dicks.

The park features a community garden on its east side, which allows local residents to grow produce and ornamental plants for personal use. Native plant restoration and environmental education programs are ongoing, with monthly work parties organized in collaboration with the Natural Areas Program and California Native Plant Society.

Brooks Park serves as a valuable community asset, providing a space for recreation, education, and nature appreciation. Its elevated position offers visitors a unique perspective of the surrounding urban landscape, including views of Parkmerced, San Francisco State University campus, Lake Merced, and various San Francisco neighborhoods.