Victoria Manalo Draves Park

Address

16 Sherman St
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-831-2700

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Victoria Manalo Draves Park, a two acre park in SOMA, opened in October, 2006. It is located on Folsom Street between 6th and 7th streets. The park features a ball field, basketball court, bathrooms, a childrens' play area, a community garden, a landscaped area, picnic area, and play field. More information, including garden plot availability, is located on the Recreation and Parks Department Urban Agriculture website.

Victoria Manalo Draves was a Filipina American competitive diver and Olympic gold medalist, who was the first American woman to win two gold medals in diving, and the first Asian American to win Olympic gold medals. Draves grew up in SOMA where she and her twin sister attended the nearby Franklin School (Now Bessie Carmichael). Draves overcame racism in both her personal life and diving career to reach her athletic pinnacle in the 1948 Olympics held in London. She won gold medals in springboard and platform diving at these games with her outstanding performance, which is depicted in this video.

She is remembered today as both an AAPI and female pioneer and hero. Learn more about Draves by visiting her honorary plaque located on site.