Argonne Renovation Moving Along

courtesy photo

Supervisor Jake McGoldrick and Isabel Wade survey conditions at the Argonne Playground.

By Charles Talkoff

After a multi-year delay, the Argonne Playground renovation project is finally on track for spring 2005.

The Richmond District playground, located on 18th Avenue, between Geary Boulevard and Anza Street, is slated for a $1.2 million overhaul, according to SF Recreation and Park Project Manager Lizzy Hirsch.

"There are no major detours," she said.

The project will use money from Proposition C, the voter approved bond measure for renovating the city's playgrounds and recreational facilities.

The playground was downgraded from a top priority in the 2000 Recreation and Park Department's Capital Plan, a blueprint for rebuilding the city's antiquated recreational facilities.

Argonne was one of the worst playgrounds in the Bay Area before some minor renovations were made. The U.S. PIRG Education Fund and the Consumer Federation of America released a joint report that called Argonne one of the three worst facilities in the Bay Area. The nationwide survey of recreational facilities examined more than 1,000 playgrounds in 36 states, focusing on potential hazards that could cause the most serious playground injuries.

The report found that Argonne lacked adequate protective surfacing around its play equipment as well as finding that the height of the play structures could cause injuries. The report went on to state that the play equipment had gaping holes that could lead to serious injury or death.

The City has $400 million slated for the renovation of its playground and recreational facilities over the 10-year life of the Capital Plan.

District 1 Supervisor Jake McGoldrick worked with Rochambeau Playground's supporters to get its project on an accelerated schedule, a move that had the unintended effect of delaying the renovation of Argonne and other citywide projects on the list.

Isabel Wade, executive director of the Neighborhood Parks Council, has been pushing for the renovation project. She was pleased to see McGoldrick taking a walking tour of the facility.

"Jake really went to bat for us," she said. "There were serious safety concerns, including rusty play structures and broken glass. It wasn't safe for children using the playground."

Alfredo Pedroza, training and outreach coordinator for Park Scan, a project of the Neighborhood Parks Council, agreed with the urgent need to clean up Argonne.

"The park was in complete disrepair," he said.

Park Scan aims to be an independent watchdog group. Its volunteers are armed with PDAs to record and report to city representatives about the conditions of playgrounds and recreational facilities.

The Argonne renovation project is expected to kick off in late spring, beginning a three-month process that includes the demolition of old structures and the undertaking of a hazardous materials review. There would then be a bidding process to secure a contractor for the reconstruction. The project is expected to take a little more than a year to complete.

The new playground will feature an improved clubhouse, new tennis courts and modern play structures that meet current safety standards.

McGoldrick was, however, less than optimistic about the City's ability to maintain its recreational facilities; a concern shared by Wade.

"The budget crisis makes it nearly impossible," McGoldrick said.

Wade agreed.

"The budget crisis is into its fifth year," said Wade, "and with no money slated for upkeep, we could be looking at the budget being worse next year. The parks will suffer as a result."