Oracle Park from China Basin Park. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

While the Giants have continued to make changes inside Oracle Park in the last 20 years, they are also making the area around the San Francisco ballpark more interesting.

McCovey Cove is behind right field where home runs splash. And just beyond the water is the 28-acre Mission Rock mixed-use development being created by the Giants.

Willie McCovey spent most of his career with the Giants. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Part of the project is the 5-acre China Basin Park. Within this area is the 9-foot bronze statue of Willie McCovey that had been in storage for four years while construction was taking place. Reinstallation of the statue took place this spring before the season started; with placement not far from where it was originally erected.

The hall of famer died in 2018.

This area clearly comes with interesting views of the ballpark, but also of the Bay Bridge and downtown San Francisco.

China Basin Park is an attraction for locals and out of town Giants fans. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Places to sit, be it on grass or amphitheater style terraces make it a destination of sorts. The Bay Trail runs through here as well.

Sitting in the stands it has been interesting to watch this swath of land evolve. In some ways it makes the field seem even more like a downtown ballpark with buildings across the way.

Of course there will never be structures completely surrounding the park. There will always be expansive views of San Francisco Bay.