DOLORES
PARK
WORKS

The Dolores Park Project Steering Committee and Rec and Park will host the second Dolores Park community design workshop on Thursday, June 30th at 6:30pm in the Mission High School Cafeteria. Here, park users and neighbors will vote to determine the priorities of the project and then work in small groups to create initial conceptual plans for the rehabilitation of the park. This is a follow up to our first workshop which most observers and participants characterized as remarkably productive and amiable. At this next stage, things may get a little more interesting.

Dolores Park 19th Street gateway, some like it just the way it is.

Though many have said they like Dolores “just the way it is”, and indeed there is core group that believes it is of the utmost importance to preserve the historical character and significance of the park, our first workshop produced a long list of areas that need improvement. Beside those calling for historic preservation, many have expressed a desire to maintain the old look and open feel of Dolores, arguing that its sweeping hilly lawns and grand trees are the true essence of Dolores.  How much weight will be given to these concerns with a need for better restrooms, compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, maintenance issues and a growing list of community wants and desires is where the battle lies.  Jake Gilchrist, RPD project manager for the Dolores Renovation wrote on his project page:

Participants will vote to prioritize this long list of rehabilitation ideas.  This process will both help focus the project’s limited budget and distinguish between widely recognized problems that need to be addressed and items that aren’t “broken,” so don’t need to be “fixed.”

Other ares of debate that are starting to emerge are the placement of the designated dog areas, a proposal to cover the old soccer field with artificial turf and the need to accommodate the many recreational uses that now use Dolores, i.e. Slackline Walking, Bike Polo, Tai Chi and the half-dozen assorted other fitness classes.  There are also calls for more seating,  picnic tables, barbecue pits, lighting, flower beds, plazas, bike racks and wider meandering paths. This second community workshop promises to begin to sort some of this out.

• Dolores Park Community Design Workshop #2
• Thursday, June 30 at 6:30 PM
• Mission High School Cafeteria

Enter on the west side of Dolores St. just north of 18th St. The entrance and facility are universally accessible, and the meeting will be bi-lingual English/Spanish.  Child Care will be available. For more information call or email Jake at 415-581-2561 Jacob.Gilchrist@sfgov.org