The Golden Mile Project, located in the heart of San Francisco’s majestic Golden Gate Park, is a place of joy, whimsy, and lingering delight. Previously one of San Francisco’s most dangerous roads for pedestrians and bikers, the 1.5 mile stretch has now been transformed into an urban oasis bursting with art, music and fun.
With San Francisco-based arts nonprofit Illuminate leading the way in partnership with SF Rec Park, the road enjoyed a complete transformation over three months beginning in the fall of 2022. More than a dozen massive murals are painted directly upon the former roadway, large-scale sculptures by Mark Deems and Gillie and Marc, gorgeously hand painted pianos for open play, a beautifully restored vintage coffee caravan, 150 gleaming yellow Adirondack chairs, a children’s storyboard walk, kids games, an outdoor living room – and even a beer and wine garden (on weekends, seasonally).
This extraordinary transformation, funded through private philanthropy, served to reveal the promise of this former road, turned urban oasis. It is credited with motivating San Francisco voters to overwhelmingly pass Proposition J in November 2022, which permanently closed a section of the road (JFK Drive) to vehicles.
lluminate’s many partners on the project include the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), Independent Distribution Collective, Paint the Void, Gillie & Marc, Misfit Toys, San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Public Library, Looking Up Arts, Non Plus Ultra, Automattic, Golden Gate Moving, Kid Safe SF, Walk SF and SF Bike.
To inquire about art, exhibits or programs on the Golden Mile, please contact Patricia Suflita Wilson, Golden Mile Director at Patricia@Illuminate.org