Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy

Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy is a civic nonprofit organization that operates and manages the Yerba Buena Gardens.  In July 2019, the City of San Francisco approved a long-term lease agreement with the Conservancy to carry out its mission.

Mission: Program, operate, maintain and improve the publicly owned open spaces, cultural facilities, and related components of San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens, working in conjunction with the Garden’s nonprofit cultural organizations, commercial tenants and the City and County of San Francisco, for civic and public benefit and enjoyment by the City’s visitors and residents.

The Gardens: The Yerba Buena Gardens is a civic treasure in downtown San Francisco with more than five million visitors annually. It is the centerpiece of the City’s cultural, convention and visitor district and part of the rapidly growing Yerba Buena neighborhood. The Gardens is an urban oasis of cultural organizations, landscaped lawns, extensive public art, dining, cafés and award-winning architecture built above and around Moscone Center.  A five-acre landscaped esplanade hosts the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival of more than 100 free performances annually. It is home to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and fountain, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and the Children’s’ Creativity Museum. The Children’s Learning Garden, Tot Lot and large play circle are adjacent to an ice-skating rink, bowling center, child care center and historic carousel. It is a place rooted in inclusivity where all can come to relax, celebrate and be inspired.

Structure & Governance: A proven community-based management structure aligns with public benefit goals to ensure that the gardens remain a civic treasure. The Conservancy is governed by a Board of Directors representing a cross-section of community members, civic leaders and City appointees. The City provides oversight as landlord, auditor and technical advisor. A small administrative staff contracts for maintenance, operations, programming and security services.