SF PARKS ALLIANCE INSTALLS FIRST OF SERIES OF MURALS PROPOSED FOR SF SLOW STREETS IN 2024 

The community-led initiative brings neighbors together through public art and civic pride. 

Lyon Street mural completed in July 2024 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (September 3, 2024) – San Francisco Parks Alliance announces the second mural in the Slow Streets, Fast Friends initiative. The mural will be installed on Page Slow Street from September 3-10. Those interested in participating are invited to a community paint day on September 7. 

Slow Streets, Fast Friends is a community-focused initiative that proposes to install street murals on up to nine San Francisco Slow Streets in 2024. Although geographically separate, the murals are united by a common mission to connect public spaces and their surrounding communities through public art and neighborhood participation. 

The Page Slow Street mural follows the completion of the first street mural in the Slow Streets, Fast Friends initiative on the 600 block of Lyon Street and the first to be installed in the SFMTA Street Mural Pilot Program. The approximately 70’’ x 24’ ground mural, designed by artist Matley Hurd and painted in partnership with community volunteers, was installed on Saturday, July 22. The mural features a flock of parrots that regularly visit the neighborhood, dahlias (the official flower of San Francisco), and a depiction of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Local artists Matley Hurd and Josué Rojas are creating the murals for the program. The two artists were selected by community members via a public survey where over 500 respondents shared their thoughts and hopes for the Slow Streets Fast Friends initiative. 

“I’m super excited to work with SFPA on the Slow Streets Mural Project. It’s also been a pleasure to work with the Lyon Street community members to develop a mural that represents the neighborhood and its people. We landed on using San Francisco birds and flowers as inspiration for the mural. I hope it provides joy, positivity and inspiration for all in the surrounding area,” said muralist Matley Hurd. 

SF Parks Alliance Capital Program manager Stephanie Troyan stated that the “Slow Streets, Fast Friends” initiative encourages participatory public art on Slow Streets in San Francisco to underscore their value as community spaces. This pilot program engages community members, living on or near Slow Streets by involving them in the installation of mural art on their streets.” In doing so, SF Parks Alliance is partnering with approximately 30 neighborhood leaders (Slow Streets Stewards) across 11 communities in 7 districts. 

“I talked to a woman who has lived in the neighborhood for eight years and didn’t know any of her neighbors, and she came down and met some. It’s really great to see the organic friendships and the camaraderie that are happening because of this mural,” said Molly Hayden, Page Slow Street Steward. 

The project is funded by the Community Challenge Grant, a program that provides financial assistance for community-led, neighborhood improvement projects. Community Challenge Grants support improvements to public space, promote local creatives, provide opportunities for neighbors to form bonds, build skills, give voice to diverse community members, and encourage investment in the well-being of the neighborhood. 

“This was an awesome opportunity to bond with family and meet new neighborhood friends. The mural represents diversity in the most beautiful form, which is art,” said Angela Davis-Hall, local resident and mural volunteer. 

Those interested in the Community Paint Day should contact the Page Slow Street Group at pageslowstreet@gmail.com. Those interested in the SFMTA Mural Pilot Program should contact the SFMTA at StreetMurals@sfmta.com. 

About San Francisco Parks Alliance 

SF Parks Alliance is San Francisco’s only citywide parks nonprofit. For over 50 years, we’ve been partnering closely with communities and public agencies to create, sustain, and advocate for parks and public spaces across the city. We believe that everyone deserves access to safe and welcoming community spaces, regardless of where they live in San Francisco.

CONTACT 

Jake Ramirez 

Associate Director, Marketing 

San Francisco Parks Alliance 

media@sfparksalliance.org 

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