The Portal is a magical gateway made from recycled metals, garden tools, and other found objects, adorned with stained glass and mosaic elements.
This striking, storybook-like gate marks the entrance to The Green Between, a community garden tucked away in San Francisco’s Portola District. The garden spans eight blocks—and counting—alongside the 101 freeway, hidden behind buildings in what was once an overgrown and forgotten zone.
The Story of The Portal
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Portola Neighborhood Association, alongside a dedicated group of volunteers, began transforming this neglected stretch of land. They cleared debris, planted thriving gardens, and built retaining walls made from wire cages filled with rocks. Through their efforts, a once-desolate area blossomed into a hidden wonderland.
With grants supporting urban gardening, transformation, and public art, muralists were invited to add new layers of creative expression. The space evolved into a vibrant hub where children can play, learn about planting, composting, and community.
The Portal invites the public to step into a world of enchantment, growth, and joy—a reminder that even the most overlooked corners of a city can become places where nature and community flourish.
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