Some students and teachers at Archbishop Riordan High School muse about the transformation of Embarcadero Plaza into a new public park. While some welcome the change, others hope the space’s unique cultural history like skateboarding, protests, and public events remains part of its identity.
According to SFGATE, City officials approved a plan to redesign the plaza into a five acre green park near the Ferry Building, combining Embarcadero Plaza, South Embarcadero, and Sue Bierman Park.
The new park will include trees, food trucks, a fitness area, and spaces for live music, replacing much of the existing concrete. The project is a $30 million endeavor purportedly being carried out under the leadership of the SF Recreation and Park Department and developer BXP.
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department has plans to start renovations within the year, but a construction timeline has not been published.
Kelsey Cotrell, an RA for the Riordan Boarding Program, said she has visited the plaza many times for community events.
“I loved the energy there,” she shared. “It was always a gathering place, not just concrete. Preserving spaces like this matters because they carry stories.”
Scott Chiesa, a Track and Field Coach at Riordan, connected the plaza to urban geography.
“It’s a clear example of how cities use land to balance recreation, protest, and daily life,” he explained. “Public spaces like this reflect SF’s culture.”
Kate Kim ’27 said her first visit was with friends. “We hung out by the fountain and it felt alive,” she said. She appreciated the skateboarding culture but added, “I’d love to see more seating areas and maybe a stage for performances.”
More recently, the San Francisco Arts Commission approved the removal of the Vaillancourt Fountain. The 54-year-old sculpture-fountain was in disrepair and the cost exceeded the desire to repair it.
As the city continues changing the Embarcadero Plaza into a new park, the challenges will be many in San Francisco, as the plaza is more than just concrete, it’s a landmark of culture, memory, and community.
