I do like the idea of thinking long-term, 30-40 years into the future, and seeing if all these improvements, if you will, will have been so necessary? I hope I’m surprised. Above all, I hope it doesn’t look too ‘Disney’…….too brightly lit at night (ironically), too cultivated. One of the things I like about our neighborhood, and park, is that it has an ‘edge’— which is dissapperaing in SF for certain.

I’m also I like that the was mention of a focus on open spaces. With regard to the new playground, I’m suspicious there will be a fence around the perimeter, I understand people want to keep dogs out, but I believe it is the owners’ responsibility to do so, not the City’s. Any barrier creates a barrier, either physically or psychologically. I think if you see a fence, you’re going to think “private space”, not “public space”.

Speaking of the Playground, which I know is a seperate issue, I’m glad to see that kids of all ages (i.e. ‘adults’ too) will be included, and encouraged to play along. I’d hate not to have a similar ‘Old Big Swing’ like there exists now, the kind I used to swing on as a kid— and I hope the new one is similar, so when it’s appropriate, Big Kids like myself can swing, too!

Re: the colors of the kids’ areas– I also hope it is toned-down and fits in with the landscape, that the chosen colors are not too distracting or bright. And why a Flag, if the whole play area is visual enough. Again, another signal of ownership, even if it has a smiley face on it— in the middle of the park it will be a distracting eyesore.

And will The Super Slide, as cool as it sounds, will it obstruct the skyline view at all? (I’m guess not, altho I think those at “Dolores Beach” on the south side hill area will see something entirely new in their midst— I’m not a social scientist, but will that change the existing culture as it is now? Will gay boys sunning themselves on the hill be asked to cover up their bikinis…now that children are around? I’m just sayin’……..

I’m leary of too many changes, although I want to stay hopeful. Thanks for listening. -D

Thanks again.

Start thinking and writing now about what you would like Dolores to look like when it is finished and send your comment to the Park Department. Open Public meetings will be begin this Summer. We have a voice in this project. Everyone can participate in the design and planning of the renovated
park.