Rec and Park Commission to Review Dolores Park Plan

The Dolores Park renovation project will be moving forward to the Rec and Park Commission’s Capital Committee on June 5 at 2 pm in San Francisco City Hall, Room 416. The Commission will consider approval of the design and the environmental review.  It would be fantastic if you could attend.

Jake Gilchrist, project manager for Rec and Park tells us, ”This is a huge step for the project and will give us an opportunity to thank the design team for all of their excellent work.”   He will lead a 20-minute presentation on the project.

 

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Love Your Parks Day 2013

Love Your Parks Day is here and SFPA is celebrating! And it wouldn’t be the same without you.

Picture 5When: Thursday June 13th 6pm-8pm
Where: Mission Creek Park, 290 Channel Street
Why: Because we love our parks and our park volunteers.

Please use this link to RSVP: http://loveyourparks.eventbrite.com

Please join us on June 13th for a celebration of parks, to recognize the Volunteer of the Year, and to honor this year’s Park Action Grant recipients. El Tonayense will provide the food and Shake Your Peace! will provide the music. Hurry – space is limited!

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Meeting With the Mayor

San Francisco Parks Alliance hosts an annual Meeting with the Mayor.

Picture 2Join Us Monday, June 3 at 2pm at City Hall

This special session with Mayor Ed Lee and Recreation and Park Department officials will discuss current issues in the park system. Seating is extremely limited. This is an invitation only event, you can RSVP through this link: http://sfpamayormeeting.eventbrite.com/. When you RSVP you may submit a question that we will be given to the Mayor and Recreation and Park Department.

Picture 3Please note that the Mayor may not have time to answer all the questions that we provide.  We look forward to having you. The meeting will be about 60 to 75 minutes. The room will be announced closer to date.

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May 15th Spring Clean-Up

Thank you to all the enthusiastic volunteers who came out from Marriott and the neighborhood to clean up the Park!Picture 2

Despite gail force winds volunteers worked hard to pick up all the small trash that litters our beautiful Park. The innovative Marriott team even came up with a technique to dig out the plethora of bottle caps that are lodged in the ground.

David Burnett, Rec and Park Volunteer Coordinator, joined our Clean-Up and explained to volunteers how important their hard work is to our City Parks. Thank you David for your help and for brining much needed support and snacks to the Clean-Up. We look forward to working with you all again thank you!

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Thank You to our Sponsors

Thank you to all of our sponsors for your kind and delicious donations to our Trash Exorcism Lunch!

Trash Exorcism Lunch

Trash Exorcism Lunch

Pride_picnictable

Pride Clean-Up Picnic 2012

One of the best things about Dolores Park is the amazing food within a 2 block radius. Delfina, Bi-Rite Market, Dolores Park Cafe, Namu Gaji, Ike’s PlaceCervecería de MateVeza, Rhea’s Deli, and Due Drop In are wonderful neighbors and have generously  provided amazing food to our volunteer lunches. We encourage you to try out these delicious neighborhood restaurants if you haven’t already or revisit an old favorite!

 

Picture 6Delfina, named as one of the top 25 Bistros and Trattorias in 2012, serves Cali-Ital cuisine from the freshest ingredients.  They have been pushing the San Francisco culinary scene forward since opening in 1998. Every dish is simply mouth watering.

birite-colorlogoBi-Rite is not only a grocery store, creamery, bakery and run a non-profit art and food space, they are a model to the community. ” We believe that food does more than nourish:  food brings people together. We think it’s our responsibility to build meaningful relationships with each part of our extended family; the food we make and sell connects our staff, our guests, our producers and the environment. In this way, we ‘create community through food’.”

Picture 7Dolores Park Cafe’s goal is to create community in an urban setting by providing a fun and welcoming aesthetic coupled with an extensive organic menu and deliciously fresh food. Their menu includes a large variety of organic fair trade coffees and teas, handmade pastries, smoothies, fresh salads, hot and cold sandwiches, as well as breakfast served all day.

namu_logoNamu Gaji is a family run place serving New Korean American (NKA), cuisine is humble, innovative and personal, while keeping tradition close to heart. The menu is inspired by the weekly harvests from their farm and the finest local bounty farm in Sunol at the Sunol Ag Park. Founded by 3 brothers who were looking to satisfy the dining experience that they felt was missing in San Francisco.

Ike's PlaceThe line out the door says it all!  Ike’s Place has been voted best Best of the Bay and Best of San Francisco for their sandwiches repeatedly since its opening in 2007. “Ike’s Dirty Secret Sauce” is spread on every sandwich and baked right in the bread, and another layer is spread on afterwards to give it that extra flavor. Ike’s caters to all sandwich lovers, making sandwiches gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, and stacked with meat.

Picture 2Cerveceria de Mate Veza is a cafe and small brewery dedicated to providing locally-sourced, Argentinian-style empanadas paired with creative artisanal beers.  Their empanadas are absolutely amazing! Their beer menu includes four house and three guest drafts and more than 100 bottles to choose from.

Picture 4Rhea’s Deli and Market serves up delicious sandwiches as well as provides park goers with all the munchies and drinks you need for a day in the sun.  Their Korean Steak Sandwich made of marinated rib-eye in soy sauce, garlic, honey & spices has been called one of the most iconic sandwiches in San Francisco.

due drop inDue Drop In is well know for their tender Mediterranean-style rotisserie chicken. The chicken is brined for 24 hours, then marinated and rubbed with a spice mixture that includes ginger, garlic, cilantro, nutmeg, cinnamon and sumac.  Due Drop In also serves breakfast all day and has a great happy hour which pairs nicely with their extensive menu.
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Spring Clean-Up with Marriott

Join Team Marriott in a Spring Clean-Up of Dolores Park. The weather predicts that it will be a warm and sunny day, with highs in the low 70′s.

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Wednesday, May 15,  

From 4-6 pm

If you are interested in volunteering please rsvp here. Then meet us at 19th and Dolores. We would love for you to join us.

In October, Team Marriott Volunteers came out to Dolores to do some much needed gardening for Marriott’s Spirit to Serve day.  This enthusiastic group is coming back to do a Spring Clean-Up.

 

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Cinco de Mayo Festival 2013 Saturday

Saturday, May 4th is the ninth annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Dolores Park.

Picture 2“Cinco de Mayo originated with Mexican-American communities in the American West, as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War.  May 5, 1862 the Mexican Army defeated French troops at the battle of Puebla in Mexico. This victory sparked El Día de la Batalla de Puebla or Cinco de Mayo. Today Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican heritage and pride.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_mayo

Saturday’s Festival Schedule cinco de mayo

10:00 am -The festivities begin with a Zumba-thon - It’s an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party™ that’s moving millions of people toward joy and health.

11:45 am -  Welcome by Mission Neighborhood Centers Board PresidentMs. Tiffany Rasmussen and introduction of Executive Director, Sam Ruiz &  the Consul General of Mexico, Carlos Félix Corona, Supervisor Campos and Joaquin Torres, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services.

Noon - “El Coro Solera” - Mission Neighborhood Centers, Senior Chorus,

12:45 pm- The Mission District Young Musicians Program, an ensemble of 26 middle and high school youth from the Mission District directed by Martha Rodriguez-Salazar

1:15 pm – Ms. Berta Olivia, a gifted ranchera vocalist  accompanied by a talented Mariachi group.

2:15 pm- American Red Cross  Latino Community Preparedness

2:20 pm- BuyepongoCumbia band

3:00 pm- Conjunto Picante - Hard Salsa Dura Music of the 1970′s

4:00 pm - Edgardo & Candela- Bay Area salsa band, they have been performing together for over 2o years

5:00 pm - Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco, – Preserving the tradition of Mexican folk dance with quality, authenticity and colorful costumes. Each 15 minute presentation will showcase a different region in Mexico.

 

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Helen Diller Playground 1 Year Anniversary

Congratulations to the Friends of Dolores Park Playground for a year of fabulous fun! Join us Saturday, May 11 at 3:30 pm for an early Mother’s Day Celebration of Music, Dance and Fun with Charity and the JAMband.

Picture 2

“We hope to engage children and families in a magical and celebratory exploration of life through music, dance and play. Lets open our hearts, dance ourselves awake, sing ourselves alive, love each other silly and remember to appreciate all mothers”

 

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Objections to Dolores Park Plan Raised

Two last minute concerns have been filed with San Francisco Planning over the Dolores Park Renovation Plan. Supervisors Scott Wieners office tells us he expects that both objections will get a full vetting from SF Planning with public hearings hopefully later this month.  One neighbor objects to the two off-leash dog play-areas and San Francisco Architectural Heritage (Heritage) is concerned the Plan does not go far enough in protecting the park’s historic resources and character. Further appeals are then possible to the Board of Supervisors.

Dolores Park Works stands behind the community vetted Renovation Plan and we will discuss at our next meeting on Wednesday, April 10 how to best to proceed. Jake Gilchrist, Rec and Park project manager for the renovation also stands behind the plan and is ready to defend it. (Gilchrist’s February 2012 report is available here). Supervisor Scott Wieners tells us he is confident that the six month community driven design process was through and democratic and he will  defend The Plan.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr.Photo by Flickr.brandi666, August 7,2009

Grrrrrrrrrrrr.Photo by Flickr.brandi666, August 7,2009

A formal appeal to the SF Planning’s approval of the Dolores Park  Plan was filled by Claudia Praetel who objects to the two off-leash dog play areas.  Her assertion is that off -leash areas are not compatible with small children and therefore the inclusion of two (as opposed to only one dog play area) is decreasing the amount of park space allotted to children. Heritage has filed a comment letter with SF Planning and we expect it to be addressed as if it is a formal appeal. Heritage asserts that SF Planning needs to require three further changes to The Plan to preserve the park’s eligibility for registration as an Historic Resource. First they would like to see the Clubhouse preserved, second Rec and Park needs to develop and implement a “preservation maintenance plan”.  This plan will demonstrate a commitment by RPD to preserve the historic resources of Dolores. And finally, Heritage would like to see  an “interpretive display” on the significance of the long abounded and neglected 19th Street MUNI stop.

Club House, Labor Day 2010

Club House, Labor Day 2010

How much these concerns will alter The Plan or if they will cause further delays to the start date of construction is not known.

Sarah Ballard, Rec and Park spokesperson says construction is still scheduled to begin this fall.

 

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Easter Trash Exorcism A Smash

The March 30 Dolores Park Volunteers event, the Trash Exorcism was one of our best attended and most productive yet. We started at noon  and were able to be out and about as the park filled up. Also in attendance was a reporter from Mission Local who made a short video depicting our efforts with Sister Connie Pinko explaining the need  for park patrons to pick up their shit.

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No Environmental Roadblocks to Dolores Project Found

Note- Two objections to the Dolores Park project plan were filed under deadline  We expect SF Planning to begin public hearings by the end of April. More here.

The City Planning Department has found that the Dolores Park Rehabilitation Project will not “have a significant adverse effect on the environment.” This notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration gives the City and the public a 20 day period to review, amend or appeal the “preliminary” findings. The draft report or PMND is a 153 page (PDF) report of the department’s year long investigation into how the project could potentially impact the neighborhood and the City. Everything is covered from potential noise concerns to the project’s impact on Dolores Park Movie Nights.

Dolores Tree Plan

Dolores Tree Plan

The main environmental issue, according to Jacob Gilchrist, Rec and Park project manager for the Dolores project, was a need to preserve the historic integrity of Dolores, a city park since 1905. The park is eligible for the National Registry of Historic Landmarks and according to California law (CEQA), needs to be protected. Gilchrist said that the project architects made three major changes to the original community vetted plans to preserve the historic park-

  • The restroom proposed for the hillside next to the Children’s Playground will be built closer to the playground. Saving the hillside from any further regarding.
  • The old 19th Street MUNI stop, though abandoned and neglected is one of the first MUNI stops in the City and is eligible for the National Registry of Historic Landmarks. It will be spared.
  • The slopping, tree shaded lawn on 18th Street (opposite Mission High) is also original to the early 20th Century park. Therefore  a proposed utility drive will be moved west preserving the majority of the lawn.

So if there are no objections, the project will move forward and construction should begin this October.

 

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Dolores Park Plan Still Alive

For almost year now, the community vetted Dolores Park Rehabilitation Plan (the Plan) had been under the knife of San Francisco Planning Department and we feared the worse. Last week we got best!

Proposed changes to the 19th and Dolores Street entrance of Dolores Park.

Proposed changes to the 19th and Dolores Street entrance of Dolores Park.

The Plan, originally expected last August, was subjected to an 11-month environmental review by Planning . Early on, there were rumors of proposals for a dozen changes based on historic preservation concerns.  Save the old clubhouse and don’t bring in so much new paving, were all back on the table. We debated all these valid concerns at the 2011 community meetings. But we are standing behind the Plan and ready to move on.

The revised 2013 Mission Dolores Park Renovation Plan.

The revised 2013 Mission Dolores Park Renovation Plan.

Scott Wiener, district 8 supervisor told us he understood our frustration and was doing what he could to save the Plan. The mayor took at an unannounced tour of Dolores with Phil Ginsburg, the Park Chief and other park improvement big wigs and still, no word. We were left to fret and worry.

So when we got our first look at the revised plans, pleasantly surprised didn’t quit cover it. In  the end there are only four major changes and they aren’t really major. There is a lot of other minor tweaks.  The “devil is in the details” as one of the architects quipped and both Jake Gilchrist, Rec and Park project manager on the renovation and a DPW architect told us their work is just beginning.

Rendering of the proposed 18th and Dolores Street entrance for Dolores Park.

Rendering of the proposed 18th and Dolores Street entrance for Dolores Park.

Some changes to look for in the Plan include -

  • The North Restroom is now closer to the playground.
  • The steps to down to the abandoned 19th Street J Church stop are  now persevered.
  • The South Restroom will not have a living roof.
  • The 18th Street entrance to the maintenance yard is now closer to Church Street to preserve the flow of the 18th Street lawn.
Rendering of the new proposed  20th and Church Street outlook at Dolores Park.

Rendering of the new proposed 20th and Church Street outlook at Dolores Park.

MissionLocal quotes Gilchrist -

“I think that there is a big sense of accomplishment.  This is an important step.”

Gilchrist said much of the review entailed the preservation of some of the historic parts of the park. The California Environmental Quality Act requires identification of any potential environmental or historic preservation impacts.

Construction should begin this fall.

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Captain Moser on Crime in Dolores Park

Robert Moser is SFPD captain of Mission Station and is writing in response to Dolores Park Works request for comments on recent crime in Dolores Park -

Captain Robert Moser

We conduct regular passing calls at the park, particularly in the Spring and Summer time when the park is most used.  During the summer and spring, we log upwards of 400 passing calls a month. We have also made several arrests for narcotics sales in the park.  In each of those cases we seek a stay-a-way order for the suspect as part of the disposition.

Park and Rec had a Park Ranger stationed at the park during the evening hours, although I do not know for certain if that is still occurring.  The community can always help by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity,  particularly at night when the park is closed.

Although the playground has been recently targeted, we had enjoyed several months since any vandalism had occurred.  The last report of vandalism prior to the most recent incident was in April.

Dolores Park is a fantastic space that attracts thousands of people every week.  The vast majority of the visitors enjoy the space safely and legally.  Unfortunately, as with many large public spaces, occasionally we will see an element that is not there to enjoy the park safely and legally.  Through passing calls and citizen tips, we strive to maintain the safety of the park for all.

  • Report non-emergency police issues at (415) 553-0123
  • Report on-going crime at 911
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