A Legacy in the Soil

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In the Chinatown-International District, there's a patch of green that grew out of activism. Founded in 1975, the Danny Woo International District Community Garden sits on steep, undeveloped land. It wasn't a city project at first; it was built by Asian American activists who negotiated with a local business owner named Danny Woo to convert his property into a space for the community.

The garden became a place for neighbors to grow food and foster connections in a rapidly changing urban landscape. After Danny Woo passed away, the garden was renamed in his honor. Today, it remains a free, public space open from dawn until dusk, serving as a living reminder of how a few determined residents can carve a sanctuary out of a hillside.

Updated June 2026