Fix Our Parks - Yes on A!

Some San Francisco neighborhoods have great parks:








Others don't:







On Feb. 5, while everyone else is paying attention to that other election, San Franciscans have the opportunity to vote on Proposition A, a bond measure that will continue the work begun in 2000: transforming our neighborhood parks and upgrading recreation areas in all of our City's neighborhoods.

There is an urgent need to fix our parks: Proposition A will raise $185 million for much-needed structural repairs, focusing on facilities in the worst condition and with the highest public usage. The $185 million breaks down like this:

• $117.4 million for neighborhood parks like the Chinese Recreation Center, Mission Playground, Dolores Park, Palega Playground, and many others;
• $33.5 million for waterfront parks and bay access -- called the "blue greenway"-- which will create new parks from Heron's Head park all the way up to Pier 43 near Fisherman's Wharf;
• $11.4 million to repair or replace every free-standing park restroom in S.F. and add new restrooms where needed;
• $8.5 million to match private funds for renovating city athletic fields.
• $5 million for trail restoration;
• $5 million in grants to do improvements to parks nominated by community groups;
• $4 million to plant new trees and restore the aging park tree canopy;
  

Prop. A adheres to strict fiscal and accountability standards: new bonds will only be issued as old ones are retired, holding taxes steady; the public will be given unprecedented access to information about bond expenditures and the Citizens General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee will have the authority to stop the sale of bonds if any question about spending should arise.

There is virtually no organized opposition to Prop A, and almost every elected official and major civic organization has recommended a "Yes" vote on Proposition A.

Parents don't have to be sold on the importance of parks and athletic fields, but because this bond requires a two-thirds vote to pass, city residents without kids need some convincing as well. To help get out the yes vote for Prop A, consider coming to one of these events:

• Saturday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m.: Rally at Dolores Park! Join Sen. Migden, Supervisors Dufty and Mirkarimi, High School athletes and community groups for a campaign rally, free food and literature walk to talk with voters in Noe Valley, the Mission and Glen Park neighborhoods.
• Sunday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m.: Bike the Blue Greenway! Join city leaders and park advocates for a tour of the new recreation areas this bond will help create along the waterfront. The bike tour will leave from Heron's Head Park at 10 a.m. (alternate transportation available for non-bikers).
• Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.: Campaign rally and literature walk at Sunset Playground, 28th and Lawton Ave.

To learn more about Proposition A, go to the campaign web site where you can find a map of all projects, as well as lots of other information. For information about how you can volunteer, please contact Patrick Hannan at (415)240-4150.