Supervisor Carmen Chu: Community Updates

McCoppin Square Reopening
Following the exciting celebration for the newly-renovated West Sunset Playground and Ortega Branch Library, I am excited to announce that the renovation of McCoppin Square is nearly complete and the grand re-opening is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22, at 11:30 a.m.

The children's play area has been relocated and expanded. The new play area will now be on Taraval Street, next to the Parkside Library, and expanded into two sections - one for children 2 to 5 years old and one for kids ages 5 to 12. You may have noticed the new "Apollo Whirl" rising above the construction. That's just one of the several new play structures that will delight kids as they play on the new rubberized safety surface. Taking the place of the old play area, on 24th Avenue across from the Taraval Police Station, is a contemplative garden in memory of police officer Bryan Tuvera.

The ball fields, which opened earlier this year, have new bleachers and player benches, an ADA accessible pathway and storage building. The tennis court has been resurfaced and has new fencing, and a half basketball court has been added. The pathways winding throughout the wooded park have been improved, and new benches and lighting have been added for safer strolling for everyone.

By popular demand, we are happy to announce the most anticipated feature of the new McCoppin Square - freestanding restrooms! The grand reopening is sure to be a wonderful event, so don't miss it.

Halloween Costume Drive
For the fourth year in a row, our office is holding our annual Halloween Costume Drive for kids. Each year, we have collected and distributed between 100 - 200 costumes to kids. If you can't bear to throw away that handmade pumpkin costume or the pair of fairy wings lying around the house, consider donating it to someone who will put the costume to good use.

Donate any new or used costumes at any one of the following locations:

• Taraval Police Station - 2345 24th Ave., at Taraval;

• Ortega Branch Library - 3223 Ortega St., at 39th Avenue;

• Fire Station #18 - 1935 32nd Ave., at Ortega Street;

• Office of Supervisor Carmen Chu, City Hall, Room 260.

We are collecting costumes through Friday, Oct. 21. All costumes will be distributed at the McCoppin Square celebration on Oct. 22.

Hearing on Muni Service

I have requested a public hearing to receive performance data on Muni light rail service, specifically on the N-Judah and L-Taraval lines, between February and April of 2011. Information at the hearing is to include the number and reasons for missed runs, on-time performance, frequency and causes of train switchbacks, and how the SFMTA plans to address those issues. The hearing is tentatively scheduled for the City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee on Monday, Oct. 24, around 10 a.m. Please call our office at (415) 554-7460 the week before to confirm that date and time.

Supervisor Carmen Chu represents the Sunset and Parkside districts and can be reached at (415) 554-7460 or chustaff@sfgov.org.