Supervisor Carman Chu: Neighborhood Parks Update

Several recreation sites in District 4 are undergoing renovations, and our office would like to provide an update on current and upcoming projects.

McCoppin Square
You may have noticed that McCoppin Square has been under construction for the past few months. Improvements to the ball field are now complete, and a new restroom facility is expected to be completed by March. Work on the whole project is expected to be completed in August of this year. The renovated site will have a new playground, contemplative garden, accessible pathways, resurfaced tennis court, and new half-court for basketball.

In 2008, San Francisco voters supported the Clean & Safe Neighborhood Parks bond, which made this park revitalization project possible. We thank the neighbors who came out and provided their feedback through public community meetings over the past two years.

Sunset Playground and Recreation Center
The Sunset Playground and Recreation Center is slated for a major remodel with funds also from the 2008 Clean & Safe Neighborhood Parks bond. This is a $13.7 million project, which includes the repair and renovation of the recreation center, children's play area, fields and courts; restoration of existing roads and pathways; upgrades to the irrigation and lighting systems; modifications to the site to remove barriers and improve accessibility; and overall reconditioning of the park landscape.

The playground and recreation center are expected to close on March 19 with an anticipated completion in 18 to 20 months.

West Sunset Playground
Nestled between A.P. Giannini Middle School, Ortega Branch Library and Sunset Elementary School, West Sunset Playground is also scheduled for a complete makeover. The brand new playground is expected to be complete around the end of summer this year.

West Sunset Playground, built in 1978, has served generations of families but, unfortunately, has been persistently rated low in annual playground reviews. The rebuild project was the result of a huge collaborative effort between community members, including a group of parents who formed the Friends of West Sunset Playground (FOWSP). The new playground will have an increased play area, and will also be updated to comply with Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

Nearby Ortega Branch Library is also currently undergoing a rebuild, and is slated to open in August of this year. Coupled with a renovation of the main courtyard, the west Sunset area will see a huge makeover in 2011.

If anyone has any further questions regarding these Recreation and Park facilities, please contact our office at (415) 554-7460 or e-mail chustaff@sfgov.org.

Upcoming community events
The SFUSD Elementary Schools Music Festival, featuring performances by citywide elementary school children, will be held at Abraham Lincoln High School, 2162 24th Ave., on Saturday, March 12, from 2 - 3 p.m.

• There will be a neighborhood block party on 45th Avenue, between Wawona Street and Sloat Boulevard, on Sunday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• The Taraval Police Station's monthly captain's meeting, featuring new Capt. Curtis Lum, will be held at the Taraval Station, 2345 24th Ave., on Tuesday, March 15, at 7 p.m.

San Francisco Supervisor Carmen Chu represents District 4.