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Tompkins Stairway Garden

The Tompkins Stairway Garden is located in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood, one block above the Alemany Farmers' Market and Flea Market. What was once a trash-strewn hillside is now an open, sunny garden featuring low-water use plants and a colorful tiled stairway.

Residents of the neighborhood led the effort to clean up the hillside and create a beautiful urban green space for everyone to enjoy. Volunteers of all ages and abilities, from the Bay Area and beyond, and community service groups work alongside the neighbors to maintain the garden.

At the monthly workdays (the first Saturday of each month), Master Gardeners assist the volunteers as well as offer education and guidance about all aspects of gardening on the steep hillside.