You may know Kapwa Gardens for its sprawling outdoor community event space but how does our space serve the community besides through events?

“We operate a garden and performance space in what used to be an unused parking lot with no running water or power. We’ve had to find ways to provide those resources that are sustainable financially. As we grow and learn, we’ve also taken steps to do this in a way that minimizes our environmental impact in an area where noise and air pollution are already issues the community has to deal with.”

— Lionel Queen

In our commitment to sustainability and wellness, Kapwa Gardens has become an ever evolving space. San Francisco is a site of various environmental issues and also active in the fight against climate change and for environmental justice. We know how important sustainable practices are and so we are choosing to join the fight for our community and earth, one step at a time!

We are excited to announce our newest sustainability project, led by our Production Manager, Lionel Queen.

Interview with Lionel Queen

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Interview with Lionel Queen 〰️

How are things currently powered at the Garden? What prompted the change?

Today we run primarily on solar/battery power. We started with a couple of small gas generators and wanted to move away from those for two main reasons:

Inside of the Kapwa Gardens bus, the hub of sound and stage technology

Sustainability: Moving away from our recurring gas/oil use.

Noise: We’re always looking for ways to strengthen the community and be good neighbors. Eliminating generator noise makes for more enjoyable performances/screenings on our stage and happier neighbors.

What does this new sustainable project look like?

We’ve been working to take advantage of the natural resources we have access to throughout the year as an outdoor venue: sun, rain, & wind.

What are the components and what impact will they have?

Succulents, one of the many native plant friends at Kapwa Gardens

Now, everything from our PA system to the water pumps that feed our living walls are powered by the sun. The water itself (depending on the weather) is often rainwater that we store.

In the near future, we plan to also explore the addition of wind power.

How will they improve people’s experience and impact the surrounding community?

We’ve reduced the air and noise pollution caused by loud gas generators. As mentioned earlier, both guests and neighbors appreciate this. We’re also able to keep the venue well-lit and secured at all hours now, which keeps guests safe and reduces crime in the area.

What is the call to action regarding this change?

We always appreciate ideas and donations (cash or equipment) that can help us continue to harness the green energy sources available to us.