Friday, June 3, 2011
Contact:
Phone: 415-831-2796
Email: connie.chan@sfgov.org
SF Rec and Park Hosts First of the Community Workshop Series for Dolores Park Improvement
More than 100 community members participated in the first workshop
SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD) hosted the first of community workshop series with Dolores Park Rehabilitation Project Steering Committee at Mission High School’s cafeteria on Tuesday, June 2, 2011. The community workshop series are scheduled for the coming months to give everyone in the neighborhood an opportunity to voice their opinions on the planning of the park’s rehabilitation.
“We are thrilled that the community planning process has begun” said Phil Ginsburg, RPD General Manager. “We look forward to working with numerous stake holders interested in bettering Dolores Park.”
For nearly a century San Franciscans have enjoyed the 13.7-acres of recreational opportunities provided by Mission Dolores Park. To help keep up with the use of the park and make much-needed infrastructure improvements, San Francisco voters approved the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, a $163 million general obligation bond that includes $13.2 million to improve Mission Dolores Park.
The well-loved amenities of Dolores Park are in need of significant renovation. From mostly invisible infrastructure such as irrigation and drainage improvements to the more apparent needs for improved tennis courts and playground.
“I am thankful that so many of our community members care about our parks.” said Supervisor Scott Wiener. “I also applaud SF Rec and Park for their efforts in leading the community process.”
The Dolores Park Rehabilitation Project Steering Committee kicked off the first meeting of the community workshop series with introduction. After welcome remarks from Supervisor Scott Wiener, and Meredith Thomas, Executive Director of Neighborhood Parks Council, Jacob Gilchrist, RPD Project Manager facilitated the workshop with the support from Steve Cancian, Landscape Architect from RHAA design team. The group was broken down into smaller groups guided by the RPD staff and the Steer Committee, together headed out to Dolores Park for a walk-through discussion. The groups identified different amenities needs for Dolores Park, and their visions for improvement. Later in the evening, the group returned to Mission High School’s cafeteria for further brainstorming.
The Steering Committee includes representatives of over 20 park and neighborhood organizations, local businesses and park user groups—from Dolores Park Works and Dolores Park Dogs to the Mission Dolores and Liberty Hill Neighborhood Associations to Bi-Rite Market and the Dolores Park Cafe to the San Francisco Bike Coalition and San Francisco Mime Troup.
Currently, thanks to the generosity of San Francisco Philanthropist, Helen Diller, the Dolores Park Playground renovation is able to move forward ahead of the overall park rehabilitation, and has been set to begin construction at the beginning of June 2011, and the estimated completion date for the playground renovation is February 2012.