The Richmond is Spring 2015 talking . Street-tree transfers from the city to private owners continues. Several city-maintained trees on California Street have notices on them informing property owners that tree mainte- Planning Association nance will be turned over to them. Maintenance costs on these large trees could run up to $1,000 a year. Dan Flanagan of Friends of the Urban for the Richmond Forest has a proposal for the city to maintain PAR the trees and stop the transfers. See fuf.org or contact Dan Flanagan at [email protected]. Striped pedestrian crossings Aquatic pet amnesty at Mountain Lake has begun. Unwanted aquatic pets can be left in a new amnesty box on the south shore of the come to Geary Boulevard lake. Recently, two red-eared slider turtles (one Over the past several months, However, even at light-controlled of the most popular pet turtles) deposited in the San Francisco Municipal Transit intersections, pedestrians should stay the box were taken to Sonoma County Reptile Authority has upgraded 33 intersections alert when crossing and look out for Rescue. Red-eared sliders can live up to 20 on Geary Boulevard with bolder, zebra- cars making left and right turns. years and will eat almost any aquatic vegeta- painted crosswalks that increase pedes- Drivers turning onto Geary tion. In November, more than 50,000 carp and trian visibility. Boulevard should be aware of pedes- 75 red-eared sliders were removed prior to the Geary Boulevard is on San trians and look for pedestrians before lake being poisoned with rotenone (a biological Francisco’s “High Injury Network.” This entering any intersection, even when agent derived from legumes). network is made up of 12 percent of city they have a green light on a left or right Views, vistas, concrete trails, or a visitor cen- streets that account for 70 percent of turn. Although right turns on red are ter building for the new Presidio Parkland? The severe and fatal traffic injuries across all allowed at most intersections, the red Cormer group is trying “to create a welcoming modes of transportation light always means stop first and look place that embraces cultural diversity, creativ- Even with recent improvements, before turning right. ity, learning, fitness, and fun. The area will be Geary Boulevard continues to be a Another serious issue for seniors a place that is inspired by history and respon- problem for pedestrians. On Wednesday, and individuals with disabilities is the sive to the needs of visitors, today and in the March 11, an 87-year-old man walking length of time before the light changes future”—and they want your input. To schedule in a crosswalk on Geary Boulevard at from green to red. Some individuals are a site tour, find a guide to upcoming workshops 26th Avenue was struck by a van and incapable of crossing the entire width and presentations, or share your ideas and opin- ions, go to newpresidioparklandprojects.org. killed. This intersection currently does of Geary Boulevard in a single light not have traffic signals, but one is in the change. Whales are coming to the Academy of planning stages. In those cases, pedestrians should Sciences. This new exhibit opening April 3, Pedestrians have the right of walk as far as the median strip, then continued on page 3 way at 26th Avenue crossing at Geary wait until the light turns green again. Boulevard, but, lacking a signal, this Although the center strip can be intimi- Spring 2015 PAR Meeting crosswalk is not be the safest option. A dating, it’s safer than being caught in a safer pedestrian alternative is to walk a traffic lane when the light changes from • Election of Directors & Officers block in either direction to 25th or 27th green to red. • Bay to Breakers Avenues where there are traffic lights. —Margie Hom Brown • Relocating wires underground • • • Sutro Heights Park vistas marred Wednesday, April 15 7 to 9 p.m. by deteriorating fences Richmond Recreation Center Breathtaking panoramic views of Unfortunately the beauty of these 251 18th Avenue Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach, the views has been marred for many years by (between Clement & California Streets) Pacific Ocean and the iconic Cliff House the rundown, crumbling, broken, rusting Paid parking is available one block away are well worth the trip to Sutro Heights fences. These once-beautiful fences and in the lot behind the Alexandria Theatre Park. This 18-acre park, once the estate guardrails meant to protect the public between Clement Street and Geary Boulevard. of Adolph Sutro, was a gift from his from tumbling down the slopes of the Muni: 1 California and 38 Geary family to the city of San Francisco. continued on page 5 Letter from the President ear PAR Members, years of volunteer service on the board of As noted in the last newsletter, the The year 2015 started off with directors; each has contributed to PAR’s public process for the design of the New some rather surprising changes. success. Parklands that will emerge over the top of DWe learned that three key members In anticipation of new board members the new tunnels for the Presidio Parkway, of PAR’s Board of Directors will not be with new ideas, the board decided that now which replaces Doyle Drive, is already able to continue as active members. One was a good time to take stock of where well underway. The latest details on that has passed away; another is dealing with PAR is and to determine how to proceed. process are at newpresidioparklands.org. symptoms of a progressively incapacitat- Under the leadership of one of its We urge you to participate in one or more ing disease; and, a third, having undergone more experienced members, the board of the workshops that are being scheduled a second hip replacement, will need time spent a significant part of a February and to make your voice heard. to rehabilitate. We will miss these three weekend jumpstarting a strategic plan- Please let me know if you have any key leaders, and I thank them for their ning process in which the organization’s comments, questions or suggestions. leadership and invaluable efforts in making strengths and weaknesses, along with the Ray Holland the Richmond a better place to live. opportunities and threats in its environ- [email protected] In addition, other busy board mem- ment, are identified, analyzed and evalu- bers are looking to limit their participation ated. The board will be providing periodic before the end of the year, thus paving the reports on any decisions that result from way to make room for the new generation this process as they are made. of PAR board members. In the meantime, the board is We appreciate the contributions all proceeding to compile its recommenda- of these individuals made during their tions to the General Membership for the election of officers and directors at its Officers & Directors April 15 meeting. Another significant change since the Officers Raymond Holland, President beginning of 2015 is the publication by the Nicholas Belloni, Co–Vice President San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Richard Corriea, Co–Vice President Center of its “Supplemental (Second) Brenda Altman, Secretary Draft Environmental Impact Statement” Christopher Wright, Treasurer (SDEIS) with regard to the January 2014 Directors draft of its “Long Range Development Fred Altshuler Margie Hom-Brown Plan” for new and expanded buildings Dan Baroni Jason Jungreis On February 15, the PAR Board of Gene Brodsky Brian Larkin on its 29.2-acre campus in the Outer Directors lost one of its own to a long Julie Burns Claire Myers Richmond District. battle with cancer. Cheryl was a loving Eliote Durham Marjan Philhour There will be a meeting on April wife to Doug Schultz and a daughter to Herb Elliott Bill Shepard 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the auditorium Eldon Erb. As a board member, Cheryl Paul Epstein Andy Thornley in Building 7 on the SFVAMC campus, Robert Fries Peter Winkelstein was active in historic preservation of the Sharon Gadberry to discuss and receive comments on that Richmond District as well as in neigh- document. The deadline for all comments Emeritus Directors borhood beautification. Lynn Altshuler • Jim Lazarus • Ron Miguel regarding the SDEIS is May 8, 2015. As one PAR member, Jean Barish, Paul Rosenberg • Michele Stratton Digital copies of the SDEIS are at said “Cheryl loved the Richmond PAR Representatives in Other Organizations: sanfrancisco.va.gov/planning/eis.asp and District, and worked hard to support the Friends of Mountain Lake Park Playground: hard copies can be found at the Anza community. She planted trees, helped Claire Myers branch of the San Francisco Public Library with neighborhood cleanups and sup- Housing Action Coalition: Dan Baroni (550 37th Avenue) and in the Engineering ported preservation efforts here. She was Kaiser Permanente Citizens Task Force: Office on the SFVAMC campus (first floor Peter Winkelstein also an enthusiastic gardener and created Neighborhood Associations for Presidio of Building 3 at 4150 Clement Street). a magnificent dahlia garden in her yard, Planning: Paul Epstein, Sharon Gadberry, Please share any comments, ques- generously sharing the flowers with Ray Holland tions or suggestions regarding the SDEIS friends, colleagues and neighbors. She Neighborhood Working Group for Presidio with PAR at [email protected] or leave was loved by many and will be sorely Master Plan: Ray Holland a voicemail message at 1-415-541-5652. Ocean Beach Master Planning Committee: missed.” Julie Burns PAR’s comments, questions and sugges- Sadly, the Richmond District lost a Presidio Restoration Advisory Board: tions with regard to that same document passionate advocate and neighbor; we at Julie Cheever will be posted on sfpar.org on or before PAR lost a colleague and friend.