Ocean Beach Vision Council wants to establish goals

by Lydia O'Connor

The recently-formed Ocean Beach Vision Council, a committee of federal, state and local leaders dedicated to the improvement and preservation of the beach, saw great support and community concerns expressed at its first public meeting, held July 11 at the SF Zoo's Osher Great Hall.

Council members Supervisor Carmen Chu, Jared Blumenfeld of the SF Department of the Environment and Beach Chalet owner Laura Truppelli led the meeting and made short speeches, as did Nancy Hornor from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA).

The council members, having already held informal meetings, took this chance to listen to the opinions and concerns of citizens. The majority of the meeting was held in a public forum style with a microphone being passed around the room.

Council members encouraged attendees not to hold back their responses, no matter how outlandish.

"Please tell us all your ideas. Even if it's an idea to make Ocean Beach into a surfer-only beach, just say it," Blumenfeld said to the amusement of the many surfers in the crowd, many of whom are part of the Surfrider Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing local beaches.

The great number of people in attendance fostered diverse opinions and ideas, especially about the degree of wilderness that should be maintained at a beach in an urban environment. Disagreements arose over the issue of having trash cans and concession stands at the beach, with some attendees expressing concerns about trash cans taking away from the natural aspect of the environment.

"I was surprised by how much support there is for the wilderness of Ocean Beach," Hornor said.

Other controversial topics that arose included the plan that allows bonfires and to what degree the Western Snowy Plover bird should be protected on the beach. Other potential issues include the beach's crumbling seawall, crime and erosion problems, and sewage spilling into the ocean when the city's storm drain system is overwhelmed.

Council members expressed satisfaction with the meeting's turnout.

"We had so many people from all walks of life," Chu said. "There was a great energy and there were lots of suggestions - big and small."

Many attendees came with research prepared about snowy plover habitation, potential environmental impacts and dune restoration.

"Generally, most of the issues we have been familiar with," Truppelli said. "But it was very valuable to hear and see the diversity of perspectives."

Hornor agreed and added that the meeting "got people thinking."

The council has not established any exact goals for Ocean Beach, but Chu stressed at the meeting that the night's gathering was intended to determine those goals and develop its vision.

"Our main goal and our priority right now is to incorporate the public's comments into our plans," Chu said.

"We want to first create a visioning process," Truppelli added. "We're still crafting that structure."

Hornor, as a representative for the GGNRA, expressed a goal to "engage people in the vision council to look at Ocean Beach and see how it relates to all the open space areas."