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NOTE: This newsletter is printed on 50% recycled, 25% post-consumer waste paper.
PARKS REPORT #44
•
SPRING 2008
Revitalizing Communities, Park by Park
JUST ONE OF OUR 200+ PARKS
WWW. SFNPC . ORG
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area History
HELP NPC SAVE PAPER If you would like
to help NPC save paper and costs, you
can remove your name from the mailing
list, and sign up to receive Parks Report
by email instead. To select your preferences, go to www.sfnpc.org/printsignup
or call 415.621.3260. You can also
download back issues of Parks Report
here: www.sfnpc.org/printnewsletters
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
SAN FRANCISCO CA
PERMIT No. 789
Neighborhood Parks Council
A Project of Urban Resource Systems
451 Hayes Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
PAID
NON PROFIT
US POSTAGE
PARKS REPORT #44 SPRING 2008
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GENEROUS DONORS
Limited space does not allow us to print all of our donors here, but we are grateful for everyone’s support, great and small.
FOURTH QUARTER 2007
Community Partners
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Allen Family Charitable Fund, City and County of San Francisco, City Fields Foundation, Cohn & Wolfe, Coit Tower Partners,
The David and Sylvia Weisz Family Philanthrophic Fund, Inc., District 11 Council, Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Fund, Forest City Corporation, Jewish Community Endowment
Fund, Mimi & Peter Haas Fund, Parkmerced , San Francisco Beautiful, San Francisco Federal Credit Union, San Francisco Giants - AT&T Park, Seed Fund of the Studio for
Urban Projects, 783 Buena Vista West Association, SF Green Schoolyard Alliance, State of California Department of Health Services, Storefront Political Media, Urban
Sprouts,Victorian Alliance,Viewfarm, William S. Fisher 98 Family Trust
Individual Donors
$50+ Barbara Bawden, Dawne Bernhardt, Thomas Beuning, Alexandra Bizani, Jan Chernoff , Gilbert Cho, Gwendolyn Cooke, Leni De Leon & James Brady, Anita Jean
Denz, Betsy Eisenhardt, Laura French, Evelyn Gill , Carol & John Glanville, Luiz Guevara, David Hochschild, Delores Harkin, Laura Juran, Kristi Kimball, Christine Krieg, Jim
Lazarus, Judith Miller, Walter Miller, Erinne Morse , Aileen Murphy, Jateen Parekh, Gail Roberts, Mike Sallaberry, Barbara Schieck, Margaret Shamlian, Donald Stroh, Emily
Strother, David T. Styles, James Tucker, Karen Varnhagen, Suling Wang, Aron Wiesenfeld, Meredith Wingate. $100+ Adah Bakalinsky, Grant Becker, Katherine Bell, Joan
Benjamin,Yamilee Bermingham, Clara Boyden, Lewis Butler, Mary Rose Cassa, Ed Chung, William Coblentz, Robert & Kristina Connoy, Grace D’Anca, Leni De Leon, Linda
Erkelens, Jeannie Fraise, Jean Fraser,Terry Gauchat, Mark Gentzsch, Bradley Green, Shuli Goodman, Ross Hammond, David Hartley, Alfred Heller, Joe Houghteling, David
Jamison, Deborah Jasso, Mrs. Henry J. Kaiser Jr., Mark Kasowitz, John Katz, Adena Kershner, Mardi Kildebeck, Andrew Lasher, Nancy Leavens, Marilyn Masters Levine, Carol
Leyton, Jeffrey Lorton, Laura Louttit, Michelle Markesteyn, Nancy Newmeyer, Paul O'Leary, Cindy Ossias, Nancy Pelosi, John Plummer,Tom Ruge, Wylie Sheldon, Patricia
Skala, Bernard Stolar, Benjamin Stoler, Gary Strang, David Strother, Jim Sutton, Laura Taylor, James Tucker, Justine Underhill & David Mauroff, Peter Vaernet, Anthony
Varnhagen, Eric Vieede, Lawrence Wong. $500+ Anonymous, Alison Geballe, Judy Junghans, Julie Parish, P. William Parrish, Basil Twist, Isabel Wade, Diane Wilsey. $1000+
Robert Emery, John Fisher, Robert Fisher, Irene Marcellini, Patty & Mike Phleger, Scott Roberts, Eva Robinson, Jay Shaffer, Denise Spielman, Timothy Wirth. Monthly
Subscribers Judith Berkowitz , Adrian Cotter, Jay Shaffer, Kurt Shuck,Wendy Testu, Jordanna Thigpen, Helene York. Annual Subscribers Carol Brost & Tom Opdycke, Doug
Sinton, Bradley Smith, Julie & Chet Tetta, Lara Witter.
FIRST QUARTER 2008
Community Partners
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Community Thrift Store, Cornfield Electronics, Inc., Jewish Community Endowment Fund , KaBoom!,The McKesson Foundation, Mimi & Peter
Haas Fund , San Francisco Clean City Coalition, San Francisco Federal Credit Union,Tribecca Properties LLC, Wells Fargo Foundation
Individual Donors
$50+ Anita Denz, Luiz Guevara, Delores Harkin, Erinne Morse, Laura Dwelly Samant. $100+ Stephanie Abramovich, Elizabeth Colton, Jean Fraser, Stacey Leyton,
Jeffrey Lorton, Janan New, Dawn Riley, Wylie Sheldon, Clara Shin, James Sutton, Lynda Taschek. $500+ Carol Caspe , Robert Fisher , Mindelle Kershner, Jerry Tone,
Isabel Wade. Monthly Subscribers Judith Berkowitz, Adrian Cotter, Jay Shaffer, Kurt Shuck, Jordanna Thigpen, Helene York.
Annual Subscribers
Carol Brost & Tom Opdycke, Doug Sinton, Bradley Smith, Julie & Chet Tetta.
I
t started life as landfill to be used by the US Navy in World
War II as a shipyard. Then, abandoned as the war ended, it
became a garbage dump. But in nearby Bayview Hunters
Point, a group of residents led by Claude Everhart, administrative assistant to Assemblyman Art Agnos, viewed it as open
space for a park. They took their proposal for a state park to
Assemblyman Willie Brown, chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee, and won his
approval in 1973. Brown
put a $10 million park
bond into the budget to
acquire the site’s 170 notso-green acres. In 1976
Assemblyman
Agnos
introduced the bill designating Candlestick Park as
Candlestick Point State
Recreation Area. Signed
by Governor Jerry Brown,
in 1977 it became the first
state park purposely
acquired to bring the
State Park System into
an urban setting. The
other Candlestick Park is
the sports stadium next
door to it. But that’s
another story.
— Jeanne Alexander
buffet of outdoor activity. Visitors can fish for halibut, striped
bass, perch or sturgeon; birdwatch for waterfowl and shorebirds, pelicans and egrets; windsurf in the bay; hike or bike on
the trails; plant in the 48-plot community garden; picnic in sheltered areas; walk their dogs on controlled leashes. The fitness
trail along the park’s shoreline is a par course with stations and
exercise equipment suitable for all ages from elementary school
youth to seniors with
limited
mobility.
All
asphalt
trails
and
restrooms in the developed area are accessible.
But accessibility to the
Park itself is now in code
red danger. The Governor’s
FY 08-09 state budget
proposes to close 48 state
parks, including Candlestick Point SRA, one of the
few flat open spaces in
Bayview Hunters Point
and a critical wetland and
wildlife habitat. In addition to the obvious loss to
the community of access
to a wonderful natural
area, closure of the park
also threatens the remediation project underway
to address the dangerous
military and industrial
contamination at the
north edge of the park.
Concurrently in 1976,
Claude Everhart was firing up the Friends of
Candlestick Park and
serving as chairman of its
15 members. They needPROJECTED SITE FOR CANDLESTICK PARK, 1957. CREDIT: SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY
ed to hold community
A coalition of environmeetings throughout the Bay Area, which this regional park
mentalists and Bayview residents, including NPC, is vigorously
would serve. With State Park Planning Commissioners Carlos
opposing the closure of Candlestick and the loss of this imporEspinosa and Judy Chan, they mapped and carried out 100
tant asset in our Bay Area open space system. “We need to
such meetings over the next four years. “Carlos and Judy were
find a better way to reduce the deficit than closing the parks
terrific,” says Claude, adding, “I loved them to death.”
people depend on,” says Claude adding, “They’re the jewels in
the crown for the State Parks System.” Claude, who knows how
Candlestick’s extreme makeover began in 1978 with approval
the system works, and Friends are campaigning to keep the
by the State Park and Recreation Department of the landscape
jewel shining and open. You can follow progress in the
architect’s plan. In 1979 a $1 million donation from the
campaign and join in actions planned by visiting NPC’s website
Campeau Corporation funded construction of the first of the
for updates: http://www.sfnpc.org/savecandlestick
two fishing piers, as well as the purchase of tables, chairs and
barbecue grills for the four group picnic sites. After $2 million
more was raised, Candlestick’s grand opening was celebrated
later that year by the Assembly’s Art Agnos and Willie Brown,
the Friends of Candlestick and the jubilant community.
Established: 1977
Location: Candlestick Point exit off U.S. 101
Transportation: #29 bus; call 311 for nearest stop
Contact: Claude Everhart, 510.383.9343
Named for a native bird, the candlestick, or Long-billed
Curlew, the park offers visitors stunning views of San Francisco
Bay, the East Bay Hills and San Bruno Mountain, as well as a
To read more of Jeanne Alexander’s
San Francisco park histories, please visit
http://www.sfnpc.org/parkhistories
Banner photo: Wetlands along Candlestick Point
1
NOTE: This newsletter is printed on 50% recycled, 25% post-consumer waste paper.
PARKS REPORT #44
•
SPRING 2008
Revitalizing Communities, Park by Park
JUST ONE OF OUR 200+ PARKS
WWW. SFNPC . ORG
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area History
HELP NPC SAVE PAPER If you would like
to help NPC save paper and costs, you
can remove your name from the mailing
list, and sign up to receive Parks Report
by email instead. To select your preferences, go to www.sfnpc.org/printsignup
or call 415.621.3260. You can also
download back issues of Parks Report
here: www.sfnpc.org/printnewsletters
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
SAN FRANCISCO CA
PERMIT No. 789
Neighborhood Parks Council
A Project of Urban Resource Systems
451 Hayes Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
PAID
NON PROFIT
US POSTAGE
PARKS REPORT #44 SPRING 2008
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GENEROUS DONORS
Limited space does not allow us to print all of our donors here, but we are grateful for everyone’s support, great and small.
FOURTH QUARTER 2007
Community Partners
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Allen Family Charitable Fund, City and County of San Francisco, City Fields Foundation, Cohn & Wolfe, Coit Tower Partners,
The David and Sylvia Weisz Family Philanthrophic Fund, Inc., District 11 Council, Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Fund, Forest City Corporation, Jewish Community Endowment
Fund, Mimi & Peter Haas Fund, Parkmerced , San Francisco Beautiful, San Francisco Federal Credit Union, San Francisco Giants - AT&T Park, Seed Fund of the Studio for
Urban Projects, 783 Buena Vista West Association, SF Green Schoolyard Alliance, State of California Department of Health Services, Storefront Political Media, Urban
Sprouts,Victorian Alliance,Viewfarm, William S. Fisher 98 Family Trust
Individual Donors
$50+ Barbara Bawden, Dawne Bernhardt, Thomas Beuning, Alexandra Bizani, Jan Chernoff , Gilbert Cho, Gwendolyn Cooke, Leni De Leon & James Brady, Anita Jean
Denz, Betsy Eisenhardt, Laura French, Evelyn Gill , Carol & John Glanville, Luiz Guevara, David Hochschild, Delores Harkin, Laura Juran, Kristi Kimball, Christine Krieg, Jim
Lazarus, Judith Miller, Walter Miller, Erinne Morse , Aileen Murphy, Jateen Parekh, Gail Roberts, Mike Sallaberry, Barbara Schieck, Margaret Shamlian, Donald Stroh, Emily
Strother, David T. Styles, James Tucker, Karen Varnhagen, Suling Wang, Aron Wiesenfeld, Meredith Wingate. $100+ Adah Bakalinsky, Grant Becker, Katherine Bell, Joan
Benjamin,Yamilee Bermingham, Clara Boyden, Lewis Butler, Mary Rose Cassa, Ed Chung, William Coblentz, Robert & Kristina Connoy, Grace D’Anca, Leni De Leon, Linda
Erkelens, Jeannie Fraise, Jean Fraser,Terry Gauchat, Mark Gentzsch, Bradley Green, Shuli Goodman, Ross Hammond, David Hartley, Alfred Heller, Joe Houghteling, David
Jamison, Deborah Jasso, Mrs. Henry J. Kaiser Jr., Mark Kasowitz, John Katz, Adena Kershner, Mardi Kildebeck, Andrew Lasher, Nancy Leavens, Marilyn Masters Levine, Carol
Leyton, Jeffrey Lorton, Laura Louttit, Michelle Markesteyn, Nancy Newmeyer, Paul O'Leary, Cindy Ossias, Nancy Pelosi, John Plummer,Tom Ruge, Wylie Sheldon, Patricia
Skala, Bernard Stolar, Benjamin Stoler, Gary Strang, David Strother, Jim Sutton, Laura Taylor, James Tucker, Justine Underhill & David Mauroff, Peter Vaernet, Anthony
Varnhagen, Eric Vieede, Lawrence Wong. $500+ Anonymous, Alison Geballe, Judy Junghans, Julie Parish, P. William Parrish, Basil Twist, Isabel Wade, Diane Wilsey. $1000+
Robert Emery, John Fisher, Robert Fisher, Irene Marcellini, Patty & Mike Phleger, Scott Roberts, Eva Robinson, Jay Shaffer, Denise Spielman, Timothy Wirth. Monthly
Subscribers Judith Berkowitz , Adrian Cotter, Jay Shaffer, Kurt Shuck,Wendy Testu, Jordanna Thigpen, Helene York. Annual Subscribers Carol Brost & Tom Opdycke, Doug
Sinton, Bradley Smith, Julie & Chet Tetta, Lara Witter.
FIRST QUARTER 2008
Community Partners
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Community Thrift Store, Cornfield Electronics, Inc., Jewish Community Endowment Fund , KaBoom!,The McKesson Foundation, Mimi & Peter
Haas Fund , San Francisco Clean City Coalition, San Francisco Federal Credit Union,Tribecca Properties LLC, Wells Fargo Foundation
Individual Donors
$50+ Anita Denz, Luiz Guevara, Delores Harkin, Erinne Morse, Laura Dwelly Samant. $100+ Stephanie Abramovich, Elizabeth Colton, Jean Fraser, Stacey Leyton,
Jeffrey Lorton, Janan New, Dawn Riley, Wylie Sheldon, Clara Shin, James Sutton, Lynda Taschek. $500+ Carol Caspe , Robert Fisher , Mindelle Kershner, Jerry Tone,
Isabel Wade. Monthly Subscribers Judith Berkowitz, Adrian Cotter, Jay Shaffer, Kurt Shuck, Jordanna Thigpen, Helene York.
Annual Subscribers
Carol Brost & Tom Opdycke, Doug Sinton, Bradley Smith, Julie & Chet Tetta.
I
t started life as landfill to be used by the US Navy in World
War II as a shipyard. Then, abandoned as the war ended, it
became a garbage dump. But in nearby Bayview Hunters
Point, a group of residents led by Claude Everhart, administrative assistant to Assemblyman Art Agnos, viewed it as open
space for a park. They took their proposal for a state park to
Assemblyman Willie Brown, chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee, and won his
approval in 1973. Brown
put a $10 million park
bond into the budget to
acquire the site’s 170 notso-green acres. In 1976
Assemblyman
Agnos
introduced the bill designating Candlestick Park as
Candlestick Point State
Recreation Area. Signed
by Governor Jerry Brown,
in 1977 it became the first
state park purposely
acquired to bring the
State Park System into
an urban setting. The
other Candlestick Park is
the sports stadium next
door to it. But that’s
another story.
— Jeanne Alexander
buffet of outdoor activity. Visitors can fish for halibut, striped
bass, perch or sturgeon; birdwatch for waterfowl and shorebirds, pelicans and egrets; windsurf in the bay; hike or bike on
the trails; plant in the 48-plot community garden; picnic in sheltered areas; walk their dogs on controlled leashes. The fitness
trail along the park’s shoreline is a par course with stations and
exercise equipment suitable for all ages from elementary school
youth to seniors with
limited
mobility.
All
asphalt
trails
and
restrooms in the developed area are accessible.
But accessibility to the
Park itself is now in code
red danger. The Governor’s
FY 08-09 state budget
proposes to close 48 state
parks, including Candlestick Point SRA, one of the
few flat open spaces in
Bayview Hunters Point
and a critical wetland and
wildlife habitat. In addition to the obvious loss to
the community of access
to a wonderful natural
area, closure of the park
also threatens the remediation project underway
to address the dangerous
military and industrial
contamination at the
north edge of the park.
Concurrently in 1976,
Claude Everhart was firing up the Friends of
Candlestick Park and
serving as chairman of its
15 members. They needPROJECTED SITE FOR CANDLESTICK PARK, 1957. CREDIT: SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY
ed to hold community
A coalition of environmeetings throughout the Bay Area, which this regional park
mentalists and Bayview residents, including NPC, is vigorously
would serve. With State Park Planning Commissioners Carlos
opposing the closure of Candlestick and the loss of this imporEspinosa and Judy Chan, they mapped and carried out 100
tant asset in our Bay Area open space system. “We need to
such meetings over the next four years. “Carlos and Judy were
find a better way to reduce the deficit than closing the parks
terrific,” says Claude, adding, “I loved them to death.”
people depend on,” says Claude adding, “They’re the jewels in
the crown for the State Parks System.” Claude, who knows how
Candlestick’s extreme makeover began in 1978 with approval
the system works, and Friends are campaigning to keep the
by the State Park and Recreation Department of the landscape
jewel shining and open. You can follow progress in the
architect’s plan. In 1979 a $1 million donation from the
campaign and join in actions planned by visiting NPC’s website
Campeau Corporation funded construction of the first of the
for updates: http://www.sfnpc.org/savecandlestick
two fishing piers, as well as the purchase of tables, chairs and
barbecue grills for the four group picnic sites. After $2 million
more was raised, Candlestick’s grand opening was celebrated
later that year by the Assembly’s Art Agnos and Willie Brown,
the Friends of Candlestick and the jubilant community.
Established: 1977
Location: Candlestick Point exit off U.S. 101
Transportation: #29 bus; call 311 for nearest stop
Contact: Claude Everhart, 510.383.9343
Named for a native bird, the candlestick, or Long-billed
Curlew, the park offers visitors stunning views of San Francisco
Bay, the East Bay Hills and San Bruno Mountain, as well as a
To read more of Jeanne Alexander’s
San Francisco park histories, please visit
http://www.sfnpc.org/parkhistories
Banner photo: Wetlands along Candlestick Point
1
EDITORIAL
UPDATES
Parks in the News
New Initiative Raises the Grade of City’s Playgrounds
In March, NPC launched the Playground Initiative, a collaboration with RPD to improve playgrounds in underserved
neighborhoods. The Initiative aims to upgrade the lowest
scoring sites identified through the biannual Playground
Assessment to at least ‘C’ grade, using the sweat equity
of volunteers.
Improvements are already planned at 10 playgrounds in
2008: Mission Dolores Park, Franklin Square, Hamilton
Rec Center, Hunter’s Point Rec Center, Rolph Playground,
Palega Playground, Precita Park, South Park, St. Mary’s
Square and West Sunset Playground. NPC hopes to continue
the initiative in 2009 to complete improvements to all 22 playgrounds found to be failing by the original 2006
Playground Assessment.
A new bi-annual Playground Assessment was also conducted in April with the help of volunteers. The new data will be
collated and used to create the 2008 Playground Report Card,
and any new playgrounds with failing scores will be added to
the list of projects.
NPC is grateful to the philanthropic support of the
McKesson Corporation, Miriam and Peter Haas Foundation,
Stulsaft Foundation, the Seed Fund, and Wells Fargo
Foundation, which have collectively donated $150,000 to
date for failed playgrounds.
Visit http://www.sfnpc.org/playground_initiative for more
information, including a schedule of volunteer workdays.
New Partnership with SolarCity Benefits Playgrounds
Now you can support NPC’s Playground Initiative by
installing solar energy in your own home! Through a new partnership with SolarCity, the Initiative will receive $100 for each
residential referral that installs a SolarCity power system ($500
WE WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT
If you agree that NPC’s work enriches quality of life in San
Francisco, consider making a financial commitment today. We
encourage numerous ways to donate: corporate matching, planned
giving, challenge grants, gala tickets, individual one-time donations,
or monthly memberships. Your support will help us continue our
important advocacy work with parks and playgrounds, to ensure
that these spaces are improved and maintained for all to enjoy. For
more information, contact Development Assistant Molly Buchsieb:
[email protected], 415.621.3260. You can also mail a donation
in the remit envelope in this newsletter.
2
Banner photos: Protestors in Sacramento on Park Advocacy Day
Maintenance Funding Shortfall Threatens
State and City Parks
PARK GROUPS TO BE HONORED AT NPC’S
STEWARDSHIP AWARDS LUNCHEON: MAY 14TH
NPC’s fourth annual Stewardship Awards Luncheon and Friendraiser
is coming up on Wednesday, May 14th from 12-1 PM at the
Mission Bay Conference Center. Cash awards will be given to 3 park
groups that have been nominated for extraordinary work in their
neighborhood parks. Our Table Captains have done a great job of
extending invitations to friends and acquaintances to help NPC
broaden our network of supporters. There are a few spaces left, so
if you are interested in attending, please contact Molly Buchsieb:
415.621.3260, [email protected]. For more information, go to
http://www.sfnpc.org/lunch08. Thank you to our sponsors (as of
press time), Lennar, PG&E, SolarCity, UCSF and Kenwood
Investments, for their generous support of this event.
SAVE THE DATE FOR NPC’S ANNUAL GALA:
SEPTEMBER 17TH
Our 2008 fundraising gala will take place on the evening
of Wednesday, September 17th at Duboce Park. Mark your
calendar and enjoy delicious bites and wines from local restaurants
and vineyards, a silent auction, and festive entertainment, while supporting the important work of NPC. To buy tickets and find out
more details, visit http://www.sfnpc.org/gala08 or call 415.621.3260.
for each commercial referral). To inquire about the program or
to set up a free consultation, contact [email protected]
Annual Meeting With The Mayor Outlines Park Priorities
The NPC coalition held its annual meeting with the Mayor on
Friday, April 25th at City Hall. NPC staff evaluated the
Newsom Administration’s performance to date, and urged the
Mayor to develop a neighborhood park action plan in the
coming year. Park group members had the chance to pose
questions and highlight pressing issues in their parks. Visit
http://www.sfnpc.org/mayormeeting2008 for photos and
meeting notes.
Park Bond Passed by SF Voters in February
We are thrilled to announce that Proposition A, the
Clean and Safe Neighborhoods Bond for $185 million,
was passed on February 5th by 71.6% of voters.
Congratulations to the tremendous Yes On A--Fix Our Parks
publicity team, and most of all, thanks to our coalition for
casting your votes! For details about the allocation of the
funds, and a list of parks included in the bond, go to
http://www.sfnpc.org/propositionA
— Isabel Wade, Executive Director
Is anyone outraged that the City would
lose 143 acres of parkland if the State closes Candlestick Point State Recreation
Area, as it threatens to do? To put this
acreage in perspective, the city’s Open
Space Fund managed to acquire only 100
total acres of new parkland citywide in its
first 30 years! Candlestick Point is a wellused and well-loved asset in the
Southeastern quadrant of San Francisco –
an area with above-average health issues
and where poverty makes access to free
recreation very valuable. Closure of this
park would be a huge loss to many people.
A coalition of groups has organized to
fight the closure of the park, starting with
the Friends of Candlestick Point State
Park, the group that worked to establish
SAN FRANCISCANS PROTEST PROPOSED CLOSURE OF CANDLESTICK POINT ON PARK ADVOCACY DAY AT STATE CAPITOL
the original park back in the 1970s. They
The state’s challenge of adequate maintenance funding is
are joined by Literacy for Environmental Justice, Nature in the
the same challenge we face in our fair city – San Francisco’s
City, the Bay View Neighborhood Association, Golden Gate
parks are also threatened by draconian budget cuts in 2008
Audubon Society, San Francisco Boardsailing Association,
that may undermine the 14 new gardener positions hired last
Noteware Development, San Francisco Executive Park
year. We hope that the Mayor’s Open Space Task Force will
Advisory Committee, The Yerby Corporation, Universal
present some new solutions for park maintenance in San
Paragon
Corporation,
Candlestick
Neighborhood
Francisco by the end of the year. NPC believes that Park
Association, S.R. Martin Preparatory School, the Young
Improvement Districts (PIDs) should be part of any solution
Community Developers, and of course NPC.
package. These districts would operate much like the
The California State Parks Foundation organized a very sucCommunity Benefits Districts that are popping up around the
cessful day in Sacramento on April 7th to provide an opporCity, but with a focus just on parks.
Check out
tunity for groups from around the state to protest the threathttp://www.sfnpc.org/agenda_minutes to find materials on
ened closure of 48 state parks. The Candlestick coalition sent
the finance tools being discussed by the Task Force. We
a busload of residents from the Bayview, and others traveled
encourage you to send your own ideas for funding the mainseparately to join this outpouring of support for our parks at
tenance of neighborhood parks to [email protected]. We
the State Capitol.
surely can’t keep up this rollercoaster ride of famine and more
Despite the huge response, it will probably take more than
famine and create the kind of public spaces we all expect in
a few hundred protesters to win the Governor’s change of
a great city.
heart. If you have not yet taken the time to call or write the
To protest closure of Candlestick Point, contact Governor
Governor’s office, please do it now! (See contact info below.)
Arnold Schwarzenegger:
If you’ve never been to Candlestick Point State Park and
MAIL: State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814
need motivation before you write the letter, then treat yourself and take a trip some morning soon for a nice hike at the
PHONE: 916-445-2841, Fax: 916-558-3160
park and see what a wonderful place it is. And remember,
EMAIL: http://gov.ca.gov/interact
there are lots of folks in the Southeast who cannot get over
To follow the developments about the threat to Candlestick,
to Golden Gate Park or to the Presidio – how would the rest
visit http://www.sfnpc.org/savecandlestick
of the city feel if we lost those two spots?
3
EDITORIAL
UPDATES
Parks in the News
New Initiative Raises the Grade of City’s Playgrounds
In March, NPC launched the Playground Initiative, a collaboration with RPD to improve playgrounds in underserved
neighborhoods. The Initiative aims to upgrade the lowest
scoring sites identified through the biannual Playground
Assessment to at least ‘C’ grade, using the sweat equity
of volunteers.
Improvements are already planned at 10 playgrounds in
2008: Mission Dolores Park, Franklin Square, Hamilton
Rec Center, Hunter’s Point Rec Center, Rolph Playground,
Palega Playground, Precita Park, South Park, St. Mary’s
Square and West Sunset Playground. NPC hopes to continue
the initiative in 2009 to complete improvements to all 22 playgrounds found to be failing by the original 2006
Playground Assessment.
A new bi-annual Playground Assessment was also conducted in April with the help of volunteers. The new data will be
collated and used to create the 2008 Playground Report Card,
and any new playgrounds with failing scores will be added to
the list of projects.
NPC is grateful to the philanthropic support of the
McKesson Corporation, Miriam and Peter Haas Foundation,
Stulsaft Foundation, the Seed Fund, and Wells Fargo
Foundation, which have collectively donated $150,000 to
date for failed playgrounds.
Visit http://www.sfnpc.org/playground_initiative for more
information, including a schedule of volunteer workdays.
New Partnership with SolarCity Benefits Playgrounds
Now you can support NPC’s Playground Initiative by
installing solar energy in your own home! Through a new partnership with SolarCity, the Initiative will receive $100 for each
residential referral that installs a SolarCity power system ($500
WE WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT
If you agree that NPC’s work enriches quality of life in San
Francisco, consider making a financial commitment today. We
encourage numerous ways to donate: corporate matching, planned
giving, challenge grants, gala tickets, individual one-time donations,
or monthly memberships. Your support will help us continue our
important advocacy work with parks and playgrounds, to ensure
that these spaces are improved and maintained for all to enjoy. For
more information, contact Development Assistant Molly Buchsieb:
[email protected], 415.621.3260. You can also mail a donation
in the remit envelope in this newsletter.
2
Banner photos: Protestors in Sacramento on Park Advocacy Day
Maintenance Funding Shortfall Threatens
State and City Parks
PARK GROUPS TO BE HONORED AT NPC’S
STEWARDSHIP AWARDS LUNCHEON: MAY 14TH
NPC’s fourth annual Stewardship Awards Luncheon and Friendraiser
is coming up on Wednesday, May 14th from 12-1 PM at the
Mission Bay Conference Center. Cash awards will be given to 3 park
groups that have been nominated for extraordinary work in their
neighborhood parks. Our Table Captains have done a great job of
extending invitations to friends and acquaintances to help NPC
broaden our network of supporters. There are a few spaces left, so
if you are interested in attending, please contact Molly Buchsieb:
415.621.3260, [email protected]. For more information, go to
http://www.sfnpc.org/lunch08. Thank you to our sponsors (as of
press time), Lennar, PG&E, SolarCity, UCSF and Kenwood
Investments, for their generous support of this event.
SAVE THE DATE FOR NPC’S ANNUAL GALA:
SEPTEMBER 17TH
Our 2008 fundraising gala will take place on the evening
of Wednesday, September 17th at Duboce Park. Mark your
calendar and enjoy delicious bites and wines from local restaurants
and vineyards, a silent auction, and festive entertainment, while supporting the important work of NPC. To buy tickets and find out
more details, visit http://www.sfnpc.org/gala08 or call 415.621.3260.
for each commercial referral). To inquire about the program or
to set up a free consultation, contact [email protected]
Annual Meeting With The Mayor Outlines Park Priorities
The NPC coalition held its annual meeting with the Mayor on
Friday, April 25th at City Hall. NPC staff evaluated the
Newsom Administration’s performance to date, and urged the
Mayor to develop a neighborhood park action plan in the
coming year. Park group members had the chance to pose
questions and highlight pressing issues in their parks. Visit
http://www.sfnpc.org/mayormeeting2008 for photos and
meeting notes.
Park Bond Passed by SF Voters in February
We are thrilled to announce that Proposition A, the
Clean and Safe Neighborhoods Bond for $185 million,
was passed on February 5th by 71.6% of voters.
Congratulations to the tremendous Yes On A--Fix Our Parks
publicity team, and most of all, thanks to our coalition for
casting your votes! For details about the allocation of the
funds, and a list of parks included in the bond, go to
http://www.sfnpc.org/propositionA
— Isabel Wade, Executive Director
Is anyone outraged that the City would
lose 143 acres of parkland if the State closes Candlestick Point State Recreation
Area, as it threatens to do? To put this
acreage in perspective, the city’s Open
Space Fund managed to acquire only 100
total acres of new parkland citywide in its
first 30 years! Candlestick Point is a wellused and well-loved asset in the
Southeastern quadrant of San Francisco –
an area with above-average health issues
and where poverty makes access to free
recreation very valuable. Closure of this
park would be a huge loss to many people.
A coalition of groups has organized to
fight the closure of the park, starting with
the Friends of Candlestick Point State
Park, the group that worked to establish
SAN FRANCISCANS PROTEST PROPOSED CLOSURE OF CANDLESTICK POINT ON PARK ADVOCACY DAY AT STATE CAPITOL
the original park back in the 1970s. They
The state’s challenge of adequate maintenance funding is
are joined by Literacy for Environmental Justice, Nature in the
the same challenge we face in our fair city – San Francisco’s
City, the Bay View Neighborhood Association, Golden Gate
parks are also threatened by draconian budget cuts in 2008
Audubon Society, San Francisco Boardsailing Association,
that may undermine the 14 new gardener positions hired last
Noteware Development, San Francisco Executive Park
year. We hope that the Mayor’s Open Space Task Force will
Advisory Committee, The Yerby Corporation, Universal
present some new solutions for park maintenance in San
Paragon
Corporation,
Candlestick
Neighborhood
Francisco by the end of the year. NPC believes that Park
Association, S.R. Martin Preparatory School, the Young
Improvement Districts (PIDs) should be part of any solution
Community Developers, and of course NPC.
package. These districts would operate much like the
The California State Parks Foundation organized a very sucCommunity Benefits Districts that are popping up around the
cessful day in Sacramento on April 7th to provide an opporCity, but with a focus just on parks.
Check out
tunity for groups from around the state to protest the threathttp://www.sfnpc.org/agenda_minutes to find materials on
ened closure of 48 state parks. The Candlestick coalition sent
the finance tools being discussed by the Task Force. We
a busload of residents from the Bayview, and others traveled
encourage you to send your own ideas for funding the mainseparately to join this outpouring of support for our parks at
tenance of neighborhood parks to [email protected]. We
the State Capitol.
surely can’t keep up this rollercoaster ride of famine and more
Despite the huge response, it will probably take more than
famine and create the kind of public spaces we all expect in
a few hundred protesters to win the Governor’s change of
a great city.
heart. If you have not yet taken the time to call or write the
To protest closure of Candlestick Point, contact Governor
Governor’s office, please do it now! (See contact info below.)
Arnold Schwarzenegger:
If you’ve never been to Candlestick Point State Park and
MAIL: State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814
need motivation before you write the letter, then treat yourself and take a trip some morning soon for a nice hike at the
PHONE: 916-445-2841, Fax: 916-558-3160
park and see what a wonderful place it is. And remember,
EMAIL: http://gov.ca.gov/interact
there are lots of folks in the Southeast who cannot get over
To follow the developments about the threat to Candlestick,
to Golden Gate Park or to the Presidio – how would the rest
visit http://www.sfnpc.org/savecandlestick
of the city feel if we lost those two spots?
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