Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky pledges $100 million to San Francisco parks

Overview

Updated 2 days ago

San Francisco's parks department is set to get the first $39 million of a $100 million gift from Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky, the largest single donation the department has received. The money covers five projects, including a South of Market park now due in 2028 instead of 2031 and Sunday hours at the Garfield Square pool.

The Recreation and Park Commission and the Board of Supervisors still have to approve how the first phase is divided. The other recipients are India Basin Waterfront Park in Bayview-Hunters Point, due in 2028, and a five-acre park merging Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park, set to break ground in late 2026. Jackson Playground in Potrero Hill is due in 2029, and the remaining $61 million goes to projects named over the next year.

Why it matters

One donor speeds up five San Francisco park projects, while the city decides where the other $61 million goes.

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Key Indicators

$100M

Total pledge

Largest single donation to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.

$39M

First phase

Assigned to five projects in five neighborhoods, pending city approval.

$61M

Remaining phase

To be allocated to projects over the next year.

500

Additional swim hours per year

Garfield Square Park pool will open on Sundays.

Years earlier for Rachele Sullivan Park

Expected to open in late 2028 instead of 2031.

Projects in the first phase

Rachele Sullivan Park, Garfield Square, India Basin, Jackson Playground and the Embarcadero park.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Brian Chesky

Co-founder and CEO, Airbnb

Pledged $100 million to San Francisco parks

Daniel Lurie

Mayor of San Francisco

Announced the donation with Chesky

Sarah Madland

General Manager, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department

Said donation will create 500 more swim hours a year

Organizations Involved

Airbnb

Publicly traded short-term rental platform

Chesky's company; the pledge is personal, not corporate

San Francisco-based short-term rental platform co-founded by Brian Chesky.

San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department

City department

Recipient of the $100 million pledge

City department that runs San Francisco's parks, playgrounds and pools.

Timeline

2 events Latest: 2 days ago

November 2026
Chesky pledges $100 million to SF parks
Latest Philanthropy

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky pledges $100 million to city parks, the department's largest single donation.
2 days ago
First $39 million assigned to five projects
Funding

First phase goes to five projects across five neighborhoods.
2 days ago

Scenarios

All $100 million is assigned to named park projects by November 2027

Likely Resolves by Nov 9, 2027

Discussed by: ABC7 reporting, citing the department's plan

The department said it will spend the next year identifying projects for the remaining $61 million. If it publishes a project list by the deadline, the full pledge will be committed.

Rachele Sullivan Park opens by the end of 2028

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: ABC7 reporting on the donation

The donation is expected to let the South of Market park open in 2028 instead of 2031. The scenario resolves when the park opens to the public.

Another SF tech leader pledges $10 million or more to parks

Unlikely Resolves by Nov 9, 2027

Discussed by: Chesky's public call for other leaders

Chesky asked other business leaders to consider giving back. A second large parks donation would show whether his pledge prompted others.

Board of Supervisors approves the first $39 million allocation

Likely Resolves by Nov 9, 2027

Discussed by: Bay Area Reporter reporting on the approval process

The Recreation and Park Commission and then the Board of Supervisors must vote on the funding split for Rachele Sullivan Park and four other sites before construction money is released.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1980

Central Park Conservancy (1980)

New York City created a private nonprofit, the Central Park Conservancy, to raise money and manage Central Park after years of decline. The group took over maintenance and restoration with private donations and city funds.

Then

The conservancy restored major landscapes and became a model for public-private park management.

Now

It showed private donors could reshape public parks, while raising questions about reliance on philanthropy.

Why this matters now

Chesky's gift is a one-time capital pledge, not a permanent operating endowment like the conservancy model.

2009

High Line (2009)

A private nonprofit, Friends of the High Line, raised money with the city to convert an abandoned elevated rail line in Manhattan into a park. The first section opened in 2009.

Then

The park drew millions of visitors and spurred nearby development.

Now

It became a template for donor-backed urban parks and neighborhood redevelopment.

Why this matters now

The pledge aims to speed San Francisco park projects, including new parks, in a similar donor-plus-city model.