San Francisco playing fields renovation update

Remember the several year continuing fight to save San Francisco owned Sharp Park Golf Course and sea wall?  Compare concerns and playing fields cost below. 

Soccer field picture from San Francisco Recreation and Parks

From SF Chronicle/Stephanie Lee, 1/3/12.  "When Mina Richards chases soccer balls along the western edge of Golden Gate Park, she sprints through grass - and around gopher holes. In the absence of field lights, the 16-year-old's practices end with the sun. But those elements of the Beach Chalet Athletic Fields would change under a proposed renovation seeking the city's approval. The 9.4-acre sports facility currently consists of four grass fields surrounded by a chain-link fence, a parking lot with 50 spaces, a restroom building and a maintenance shed. Under a proposed construction backed by a public-private partnership, synthetic turf would replace the grass. The fields and the parking lot would be expanded. Field lights, benches for players, bleachers for 1,000 spectators, a barbecue area and a community room would be installed. The restrooms would be redone..... 

The city's Recreation and Park Department and the nonprofit City Fields Foundation are sponsoring the project, which is estimated to cost between $12 million and $15 million.  "We have a shortage of ball fields, and it's critically important to San Francisco's families that we give our kids a place to play," said Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the Recreation and Park Department. But the project has drawn scrutiny from neighboring environmentalist groups. They say the 10 60-foot-tall field lights will ruin the natural darkness enjoyed by those who stroll there after sunset.....

The public money for the construction would come from a $185 million bond passed in 2008 to renovate several city parks and playgrounds. So far, the City Fields Foundation and the Recreation and Park Department have renovated six facilities, with three to go.  Full article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh