Letter to the editor

Tomasita Medal and all Cliff House neighbors:
Thanks very much for your open letter regarding the new Merrie Way parking lot and Cliff House valet parking (Richmond Review - May 2009). Your concerns were shared by many residents in a respectful debate hosted by the Friends of Sutro Heights and Coalition to Save Ocean Beach. The Cliff House and GGNRA took all of these comments seriously and altered the valet parking plan accordingly.

The first thing to note is that we are not adding any parking, simply offering a new spot for existing Cliff House patrons already arriving by vehicle and parking in various locations. As neighbors including yourself suggested, that valet parking will be only in the Sutro Heights lot, which is south of Point Lobos Avenue across the street from the newly transformed Merrie Way parking area. The Sutro Heights lot will remain open, not blocked, and will remain open to all park visitors. The valet service will not take any accessible parking spots.

We do not anticipate ticketing or towing any existing cars that remain once valet parking starts, and we expect plenty of available parking to meet the demand of the valet. The park may adjust the number of parking spaces the valet can "cone," depending on demand, but we will start with only 25 and adjust to maximize the parking available to general visitors. In addition, the valet service will ensure the lot remains clean and will provide a helpful set of "eyes and ears" in the lot every evening.

In response to law enforcement traffic safety concerns, the valet concessioner drivers will, upon pick-up of patrons' vehicles, proceed southbound from the Cliff House on Point Lobos Avenue and turn around at Balboa Street in a safe manner consistent with all local traffic laws and ordinances.

The Cliff House has been an important fixture and responsible steward of this area for many years. The evening valet parking is anticipated to provide a Cliff House patron with a more accessible and higher quality parking experience for a small fee.

We anticipate that, by offering valet for Cliff House patrons, this will free up parking in the new Merrie Way lot and in front of the Cliff House.

We also anticipate it will reduce traffic due to Cliff House patrons "circling" or waiting for parking right in front of the Cliff House because they may be mobility impaired or desire a shorter walk.

As the valet service evolves, the Cliff House and the park will adjust operating parameters to ensure the valet works as smoothly as possible with the community, traffic and visitors.

Thanks again to all of the Cliff House neighbors in working together to improve this plan. Feel free to contact me with any concerns.

George Durgerian Park ranger, Ocean Beach community liaison (415) 561-4907