Building Bridges, Shaping the Future: Lessons from the Bay to the Canal

In September, the Policy, Advocacy, and Civic Engagement team and community leaders took part in two inspiring experiences that are helping shape the future of equitable and resilient development in the Canal neighborhood. From the shores of Bayview-Hunters Point to the heart of San Francisco’s Rising Together Bay Adapt Summit, these moments reminded us of the power of collaboration, community voice, and vision.

Learning from Transformation: India Basin Shoreline Park

In Bayview-Hunters Point, we visited the India Basin Shoreline Park project, a once-challenged site now rising as a model for inclusive, community-driven transformation. Led by the San Francisco Department of Parks and Recreation, the tour brought together San Rafael City staff, Canal Alliance team members, and Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro Consejo members to explore what is possible when partnerships are grounded in equity and persistence.

Walking through the park, we saw firsthand how thoughtful planning, strong community engagement, and creative problem-solving can turn vision into reality. The lessons from India Basin are deeply relevant as we imagine the future of 620 Canal Street, reminding us that the path to transformation is built step by step, together.

Sharing Our Story: Bay Adapt Summit 2025

Just days later, Consejo members and Canal Alliance staff stepped into leadership roles at the Rising Together Bay Adapt Summit 2025 in San Francisco. The Canal neighborhood took center stage through a powerful walking tour, where attendees saw up close the impacts of flooding, sea level rise, and other climate threats affecting local homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

The tour showcased not just the challenges but also the resilience and leadership of the Canal community. Participants witnessed our model of meaningful community engagement and capacity building in action, demonstrating how residents can shape adaptation planning from the ground up.

At the summit, a Consejo member and Canal Alliance staff joined a panel on “Community Engagement: Building Capacity for Meaningful Engagement in Adaptation Planning.” The conversation explored how authentic relationships, local leadership, and deep trust are key to ensuring that adaptation efforts reflect community priorities, not just policies on paper.

Looking Ahead

Together, these experiences are fueling our vision for the future of the Canal neighborhood. Whether learning from the transformation of India Basin or sharing our own story of community resilience through Bay Adapt, we are reminded that meaningful change starts with listening, learning, and lifting community voices.

The path forward is clear: when equity, leadership, and collaboration guide the work, transformation follows.