Proposal to beautify Park Presidio Blvd.

by Ronitte Libedinsky

Members of Park Presidio Neighbors want drivers to imagine passing the toll plaza at the Golden Gate Bridge, driving along Highway 1 through the Presidio, and being greeted by pink flowering trees as they enter the Richmond District on Park Presidio Boulevard.

At the intersection with Geary Boulevard there would be public art on display, and at Fulton Street rows of the same flowering trees would announce their entrance into Golden Gate Park.

This is the long-term vision of the organization, a volunteer group that has worked to enhance the beauty and safety of the neighborhood for 10 years.

"The idea of not taking advantage of this beautiful asset seems like a missed opportunity to celebrate the neighborhood," said Greg DiPaolo, an architect and member of the group's executive committee.

The group's vision for Park Presidio Boulevard consists of three main points: removal of dangerous trees and reforestation, traffic calming and safety, and creating a distinctive look for the boulevard.

The first part of the plan involves the removal of trees along the boulevard that are in danger of falling. Many of the trees are at the end of their lifespan, and even though no one has been hurt yet, trees fall every winter and, therefore, pose a potential threat.

Last year, as a result of lobbying by the Park Presidio Neighbors, the SF Recreation and Park Department hired a consulting company that assessed the health of more than 1,000 trees and determined that at least 33 are in danger of falling and should be removed as soon as possible.

The removal of trees will be balanced with the "planting of shrubs and trees that are drought tolerant and screen the boulevard from the neighborhood," said Kristin Bowman, director of volunteer services, park beautification and stewardship projects at the Recreation and Park Department.

The city initially allocated $200,000 towards tree removal, but the $183,000 that remained after payment to the consulting company has since been re-allocated for other uses.

Now, the Recreation and Park Department is beginning to look for the money within its own budget.

The issue of traffic calming has already begun to be addressed with Caltrans' Signal Upgrade Project, which includes measures to help prevent pedestrian collisions, such as the installation of signals with countdown timers and larger overhead traffic signals that are more visible to drivers. Because Park Presidio Boulevard is part of California Highway 1, the state is responsible for its upkeep and improvement.

More than 85,000 cars travel on Park Presidio each day. Between 2002 and 2006, there were 14 accidents involving pedestrians.

The Park Presidio Neighbors have also proposed installing dividers at the entrances and exits to certain blocks on the streets immediately parallel to Park Presidio to prevent drivers trying to avoid traffic on the boulevard from entering or exiting 14th or Funston Avenues at high speeds.

The Municipal Transportation Agency might install the dividers by next year.

The third issue, using Park Presidio Boulevard as a gateway to the Richmond District, is the group's most visionary idea. Rows of flowering trees like pear, ginko or cherry could be planted at the intersections and at the entrances to Golden Gate Park and the Presidio.

In addition, DiPaolo envisions plaza-like spaces at the corners of Geary Boulevard. The areas would have more benches and better lighting and would provide a space where people could wait for a bus in a safe and pleasant environment. The areas could also have pedestals where sculptures would be displayed.

"Passing through layers of flowering trees draws attention to intersections and announces the neighborhood," DiPaolo said.

The Park Presidio Neighbors are looking for donations from the private sector to implement the gateway idea.

"This is a great neighborhood and I want to make sure it stays that way," said Suzanne Tucker, communications liaison for the group. "The community is only as strong and as good as the people who get involved to make it better."

The group sponsors workdays on the fourth Saturday of every month to clean a section of the corridor. In addition, every year the group sponsors a block party with a barbeque, pet parade, games and more.

For more information about the Park Presidio Neighbors, visit its Web site at www.ppnsf.org.