A LIVING LIBRARY CULTURE-ECOLOGY-TECHNOLOGY
NATIVE RIPARIAN / UPLANDS TRANSIT CORRIDORS
A Phased Development Project

© 2004 Bonnie Ora Sherk & Life Frames, Inc.

Incorporating systemic ecological design, the opportunity is to create A Living Library Nature Walk through Transit Corridors in diverse neighborhoods that will simultaneously serve multiple functions:

• Frame the Islais Creek Watershed through this new narrative landscape: Link and reunite several San Francisco communities: Bernal Heights, Mission, Bayview, Potrero Hill, Noe Valley, Glen Park, Sunnyside, Excelsior, Portola - through their connection to the Watershed.

• Mitigate flooding from the Islais Creek in areas of flood plain.

• Plant native riparian and uplands trees and and other native vegetation along transit corridors – reconfiguring streets. medians, sidewalks, and other public places, when possible, to help stop flooding, beautify local places, while re-attracting wildlife.

• Provide traffic calming, bike and pedestrian paths, and seating areas, when possible.

• Develop, with community artists, themed narrative murals and other artworks along the corridors that celebrate local ecologies, history, and cultures - past, present, future.

• Create meaningful intergenerational learning programs for all ages linking interrelated subjects based on A Living Library Framework and ALL Standards-Based Curriculum.

• Create multiple community educational and civic engagement opportunities.

• Attract new businesses to underserved neighborhoods by adding charm and interest to neighborhoods by creating A Living Library ECO/Culture Zone in each community.

• Transform and beautify each neighborhood and contribute positively to the quality of life for all people.

• Celebrate the uniqueness of each neighborhood by showcasing the local resources: ecological, built, and multicultural – past, present, future – through creation of Living Library Multimedia Digital Archives developed in concert with community residents, including children and youth, displayed on green-powered, sculptural Digital Gateways throughout the Transit Corridors.

• Create opportunities to link the communities through live, interactive broadcast showcased on these green-powered Digital Gateways.

• Link the existing Branch Living Library sites in the Excelsior, Bernal and Roosevelt Island, NYC communities through interactive community programs and live broadcast; link with other Branch Living Library sites as they emerge in diverse parts of the world.

• Link the BART stations in the Islais Creek Watershed: Balboa; Glen Park; 24th Street through live, interactive connections between the sites and displays of the local Living Library Multimedia Archives of each neighborhood.

• Discover areas of Creek that may be daylighted: along Highway 280; near Balboa HS, other places.

• Link multiple city and state agencies, community groups, and individuals in processes.

The main streets to involve and transform include sections of: Cesar Chavez, 101/ Bayshore / Potrero / Chavez Freeway Interchange, Mission Street, San Jose Avenue, Geneva Avenue, Third Street, Alemany Blvd., Highway 280, Cargo Way.