ParkScan is a website that enables San Franciscans to report issues they observe in parks directly to City staff. ParkScan is a program of the Neighborhood Parks Council in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and has been helping to improve neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and green spaces since 2003. ParkScan gives everyone a way to get involved in keeping San Francisco parks clean, safe, and fun.
ParkScan can also be used as a source of information for parks in San Francisco. Visit http://parkscan.org/parks to find information and maps for your neighborhood park.
FAQ's
Who can use ParkScan?
Any park visitor, including City staff, can report problems observed about park features via the ParkScan website. Training is available upon request. Contact the Neighborhood Parks Council (NPC) at (415) 621-3260 or admin@parkscan.org for more information.
How does ParkScan work?
After a user submits an observation via our web-based form at ParkScan.org, the observation is sent automatically to the City’s work order system (311). The responsible department is notified by 311 and addresses the issues reported as soon as the needed staff and resources are available. Once the issue has been resolved, it appears with the status "closed" on ParkScan.org.
All data are trackable on ParkScan.org. Data do not disappear after the City 'closes out the observation'. This way, the user can produce customized, detailed reports of interest -- per feature, per park, per district, or citywide. To create a customized report, go to http://parkscan.org/search.
Why do we need ParkScan?
San Francisco's more than 200 neighborhood parks provide a wide range of recreational opportunities to residents and visitors alike. These resources need thoughtful care and upkeep. Unfortunately, budget constraints make it impossible for City staff to be in every park every day. ParkScan allows City residents to report and monitor conditions they feel are important to their park's upkeep. This information is vital to the parks department's timely response to maintenance issues.
Reports provide invaluable data for park advocates and the Recreation and Parks Department because they substantiate the need for resources during the budget process. ParkScan's annual reports provide important trend information about park maintenance across the city so data can be compared year to year. Annual reports are provided to all elected officials, including the Mayor.
Who funds ParkScan?
ParkScan is a program of the Neighborhood Parks Council, a San Francisco based non-profit park advocacy organization. The program was developed thanks to funding provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation of New York, the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, and the City of San Francisco. If you would like to donate to ParkScan, visit http://sfnpc.org/donate.
ParkScan is now seeking sponsors for our website and for the expansion of our program nationally. Please contact Meredith Thomas at mthomas@sfnpc.org if you are interested in partnering with ParkScan.
Is ParkScan available for my city?
Portland, Oregon is the first city outside of San Francisco to implement ParkScan. ParkScan can be scaled for tracking system-wide conditions or individual asset categories (e.g. trails, playgrounds) in any city or county. If you work for a city or county agency or a nonprofit organization and would like more information about implementing ParkScan in your community, please contact admin@parkscan.org.
