Please Keep GGNRA Open, Healthy and Safe

SFDOG sent this letter to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area:

Dear Superintendent Joss,

We are writing to request you make every effort to keep the GGNRA in San Francisco – and its parking lots – open and accessible during the shelter-in-place order in the Bay Area. Health officials are encouraging people to exercise outdoors – practicing social distancing – as a means of staying physically and mentally healthy during this trying time.

The stay-at-home order states: individuals may leave their residence ... to engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with the social distancing requirements, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, or running. As you know, the GGNRA is critical to Bay Area residents, especially those who live in close proximity and rely on the GGNRA for daily recreation.

San Francisco has kept its parks and open space areas open and accessible. We fear that if the GGNRA closes it could cause an undue burden on city parks. We know from past experience that closing places like Fort Funston does not deter people from visiting. Instead, they park on nearby busy roads and walk in and that creates its own hazards. That's why we donated funds during the government shut down in 2019 so that the GGNRA could continue to perform basic maintenance in order to keep the parking lot open.

We understand the limits being placed on your staff during this time. And we want to help reduce that burden by offering to help fund the development and placement of signs about social distancing to be posted throughout the GGNRA. San Francisco Rec and Park has placed signs about every 50 feet along trails reminding people to practice social distancing on some of the trails in Golden Gate Park. Earlier this week, we saw people were striving to stay at least 6 feet apart, even walking on the grass as we passed people walking the other way. Perhaps signs that are constant reminders about social distancing would also work at places like Fort Funston. 

This is an uncertain and unsettling time for everyone. We hope the GGNRA remains open for the health and safety of everyone. We are very willing to communicate instructions and safeguards from the GGNRA through our social media platforms if that will help keep these beloved areas open. We have been reminding people to practice social distancing, and will continue to do so.

Please let us know how we can help. 

SFDOG