Kapwa Gardens Lives On — In More Ways Than One
As we prepare to close Kapwa Gardens on Saturday, July 26, we want to take a moment not just to reflect on the past, but to share the exciting and heartfelt future that lies ahead.
Kapwa Gardens Was Always Meant to Be Temporary
Kapwa Gardens was born out of crisis — a response to the isolation of the pandemic, and the urgent need for safe outdoor cultural space. But from the beginning, we were clear: Kapwa Gardens was always meant to be a temporary project until permanent affordable senior housing could rise in its place.
Now, that housing — which the SOMA Pilipinas community has been fighting for since the early 5M campaign days — is finally becoming a reality. And we’re proud that this land, which hosted joy, healing, and culture for the last four years, will now house our elders with dignity.
Where It’s All Going
Just because the space is closing doesn’t mean Kapwa is disappearing. In true regenerative fashion, a majority of the plants and structures from Kapwa Gardens are being relocated down the street to the new Urban Alchemy Oasis site, where they will be reused to create a healing environment for our unhoused neighbors. Kapwa’s spirit of sanctuary will continue — just in a new form, for those who need it most.
About That Bus…
Yes, we heard you! Over 250 inquiries poured in about the fate of the iconic Kapwa bus, ranging from amazing nonprofits across the Bay Area to individuals who had a deep personal connection to the creation of Kapwa Gardens. From youth programs to mobile art collectives, the love is real.
We’ll be announcing where the bus is headed next at Yum Yams, our big ube-themed fundraising BBQ party on July 26, 2025. Let’s just say: the bus isn’t going into storage — it’s going into another chapter of impact.
What’s Next: Kapwa Gardens 2.0
The end of Kapwa Gardens is just the beginning. Predevelopment for a new Kapwa Gardens site at 4th and Folsom, just blocks away, will begin later this year. The original plan for that parcel was affordable housing, but because it sits on top of the new Central Subway line, the engineering and foundation work required made it financially unfeasible.
So now, with city support, we’re reimagining the site as a permanent cultural destination — a gathering place for creativity, performance, and community storytelling in the heart of SOMA Pilipinas. As with everything we do, we’ll be inviting you to help us dream, design, and build this new chapter together.
This Isn’t Goodbye — It’s Growth
Kapwa Gardens was never about a space. It was about what’s possible when community leads. That spirit is already being replanted, repurposed, and reignited — and we can’t wait to keep building with you.
With love, gratitude, and deep kapwa,
The Kapwa Gardens / Kultivate Labs Team
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