Fay Berrigan Property
House Built in 1912
Gardens Designed by Thomas Church
About Fay Park
In 1998, the city of San Francisco accepted Mary Fay Berrigan’s bequest of the Fay-Berrigan house and garden on Russian Hill for a public park. Mrs. Berrigan was a descendant of the Fay family who built the original house at the location in 1869. The current house dates from 1912, when the Fay family replaced the original building. (see History of Fay-Berrigan Property)
The Berrigans commissioned renowned landscape architect Thomas Church to design a garden for the home in 1957. The result was a distinctly Church garden, distinguished by its unique use of twin gazebos.
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department awarded funds for the renovation of the garden in 2005. New walkways, deck, and balustrades made the garden ADA accessible. Lighting fixtures were repaired or replaced, the electrical service was upgraded, and a new irrigation system and plantings were installed. The work was completed in 2006 and the park is currently open six days per week.
The Fay Park Citizen’s Advisory Committee, formed by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and comprised of representatives of neighborhood organizations and Friends of Fay Park, meets quarterly to provide citizen input on the park. Meetings are held in the neighborhood. These meetings are open to the public. If you would like to be on the mailing list for an agenda, please email Lucretia Rauh.
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department maintains the garden at Fay Park with the support of an active group of garden volunteers. Volunteers are always needed for the following tasks:
- Provide TLC for the rose beds.
- Mow and water lawns.
- Control weeds and garden pests.
- Prune and shape topiary.
- Sweep and clean walkways.
Working in this beautiful garden can be a truly rewarding experience. Friends of Fay Park owns some tools, but if you have your own garden gloves or clippers please bring them with you. Please call Lucretia Rauh, Fay Park Volunteer Coordinator, at 771-9393 to volunteer or if you have any questions.