Help Us Create a “Field of Dreams” for Visitacion Valley

This fundraiser is organized by Greening Projects.

Tax deductible

A Field of Dreams, Envisioned by the Community

Transforming Asphalt into Opportunity—Rooted in Joy, Justice, and Belonging at Visitacion Valley

We're calling on our community to rally this week—every donation demonstrates the strength behind this vision and brings us one step closer to building our Field of Dreams.

Join us in creating a schoolyard so welcoming that children race to school each morning, eager to play, explore, and connect.

For a decade, the students, teachers, administrators, and families of Visitacion Valley Elementary School (VVES, affectionately known as Little Vis) have collaborated through an iterative, participatory design process to bring this beautiful vision to life—creating a schoolyard that fosters joy, well-being, and community.

The children have played an active and thoughtful role in shaping this transformation. They evaluated their playground, identified challenges, imagined improvements, sketched plans, wrote heartfelt letters, and eagerly voted for the changes they wanted to see. More than just a playfield, this effort is a powerful lesson in democracy—showing the children and families of Little Vis that their voices matter, their ideas are valued, and their actions can create real change.

Now, contrast that vision with the current reality: VVES, a Title I school in one of San Francisco's most historically underserved neighborhoods, is met with windswept, degraded asphalt, no shade, and few spaces designed for play or learning.

"The ground is very hard, and if we fall, it's gonna hurt real bad. That happened to me in first grade." – VVES student.

Without welcoming spaces, recess often leads to playground conflicts rather than joy—more disputes occur here than anywhere else on campus. To improve their daily lives, students have asked for a place to play safely, rest in the shade with friends, and engage in activities that support their well-being.

"Our schoolyard right now is just black and grey… We need color, trees, and fun!" —VVES student.

They deserve so much more. Will you join us now in bringing their vision to life?

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A Critical Funding Gap

Please Help Fund $50,000 for our Field of Dreams Multi-use Soccer Field!!!

With great thanks to a $900,000 Green Infrastructure Grant from the SF Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), from the SF Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), we are transforming the schoolyard into a long-awaited, vibrant, nature-based space that reflects the needs and dreams of students and the broader community. This living schoolyard will nurture social-emotional learning, mindfulness, physical well-being, and academic excellence. More than a place to play, it will be where friendships blossom, teamwork thrives, and joy takes root.

We are thrilled to be in the final stages of construction documents, with installation planned for summer 2025!

However, one of the most requested features—a soft-surfaced, stormwater-treating playfield where children can safely run, play, and engage in team sports—is now at risk. A key funding source has not yet come through, leaving a $50,000 shortfall. Unless we narrow this gap by the end of April, we'll be required to replace the field with an additional rain garden to meet stormwater requirements—eliminating the most beloved element in the children's design.

Your support today is more than a donation—it's a powerful vote for every child's right to play, move, and thrive.

"Right now, our schoolyard is empty. Please add some things! If you don't, it will be boring, and when it gets boring, we play in class." –VVES student.

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Please - We Need Your Help Urgently!

We want to show that our community is united behind this vision. A contribution of any size is a vote of support for our Field of Dreams, helping bridge the funding gap and keeping us on track for summer construction.

Suppose full funding isn't secured by late April, but we can show strong momentum. In that case, we hope to implement a Plan B: installing safety fencing around the future field so construction can proceed while we continue raising funds.

Every donation moves us closer.

Initial contributions will go toward building the field. Additional support will fund other planned—but currently unfunded—features like shaded gathering spaces and vibrant plantings designed to nurture joy, learning, and community connection.

Your generosity is more than a gift—it's a vital expression of hope, love, and belief in a brighter future.

Give What You Can—Every Bit Helps!

$5 – Will purchase a pollinator plant—please join us on Planting Day!
$15 – Funds one square foot of the playing field turf and safety matting
$50 – Supports native tree plantings
$250 – Sponsors a portion of the multi-use field
$1,000+ – Become a Field of Dreams Champion with special recognition

"Can you please help change our yard to a way better place?" –VVES student

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Why We Need Donations for the Field Right Now

Current Playground is Degraded & Uninviting – The existing schoolyard is cracked asphalt with no shade, soft surfaces, and engaging play features, leading to injuries and playground conflicts.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity – Thanks to $900,000 in secured funding from the SFPUC Green Infrastructure Grant, we have momentum—but we must close a $50,000 gap for the field to become a reality.
SFPUC Grant Does Not Cover the Soft-Surfaced Field – The current grant funds cannot be used for artificial turf or safety matting, though they will cover the creation of the stormwater-treating substructure.
Deadline for Construction in Summer 2025 – If we don't secure funding soon, we may miss this opportunity to create the school's vision without costly delays.
A Green Space Designed for Whole-Child Well-Being – If we cannot fund the playfield, we will need to replace its stormwater function with an additional rain garden, which—while very beneficial - will not provide the essential active play space students need.
Many Students Rely on School as a Safe Haven – VVES serves some highly vulnerable children, including homeless students and children facing trauma—a nurturing, calming outdoor space is essential.
Reversing Chronic Absenteeism—Children must consistently feel safe, supported, and excited to attend school. A vibrant, engaging outdoor space fosters a sense of belonging and encourages daily attendance, which is essential for their development and success.
Supports Key After-School & Community Programs – will provide high-quality recreational infrastructure directly supporting the excellent long-standing Visitation Valley after-school program, ROCK, and hopefully, America Scores.
This Field Will Serve the Entire Community – As a California Community School and potentially a Shared Schoolyard, this space will be open beyond school hours, benefiting families, neighbors, and future generations.
Every Dollar Matters – A strong show of community support will demonstrate to SFPUC and SFUSD that this project is essential, helping ensure long-term investments in the school's infrastructure.

This transformation will enhance student health, academic success, and environmental sustainability. (Learn more at Green Schoolyards of America.)

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A Vision Years in the Making

Through school community workshops, student design sessions, and collaborative dreaming, we've co-created a vision that turns barren asphalt into a nature-rich, laughter-filled space. This is not just a playground—it's a Field of Dreams shaped by those who will use it most: the children.

Since receiving initial funding in 2015 through SF Prop A Green Schoolyard, we've worked with teachers, students, and families through a collaborative design process grounded in joy, inclusion, sustainability, STEAM learning, and nature connection.

A key milestone was the Art and Greening for Community Well-Being initiative, funded by the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development and SF's Community Challenge Grant. The children brought public spaces to life through stunning mosaics and hands-on art, elevating spirit and space. By blending art, design, environmental education, and community action, the project transformed both the school entrance and the Green Schoolyard outdoor classroom—tucked into a once-barren corner of the lower playground—into vibrant, inspiring, and welcoming spaces. These are the very kinds of places the community dreamed of when we first sat down together ten years ago.

The Field of Dream SFPUC Green Infrastructure Grant project has brought together Jeni Webber and Associates, Lotus Water Engineering, Greening Projects, Communities as One, and the SFPUC in a collaborative effort to integrate play, art, well-being, and green infrastructure into a single transformative project.

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This Journey Continues—With Your Help

We're building this dream in stages, and right now, we have a time-sensitive opportunity to bring one of its most vital elements to life: the playing field at the heart of it all.

This field will soak up stormwater, support healthy play, and anchor a schoolyard transformation years in the making. While we'll continue to seek grants for future phases, we urgently need your help this week to meet our fundraising goal and keep the dream alive.

Your support today will help us turn a once-paved lot into a resilient, nature-filled, joy-sparking playground—where every Little Vis child can thrive, learn, and dream big.

We are deeply grateful to all who have supported this journey so far. You are the village—and the visionaries—who are making this dream possible.

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Be Part of This Ongoing Effort

Grow joyful, nature-filled spaces where Visitacion Valley's children and community can thrive.

Click here to explore our long-term vision and strategic funding campaign, view inspiring photos, and discover how green schoolyards transform lives—through research, stories, and hope in action.

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