As part of their efforts to boost revenues in the park, the Rec & Park Department is considering proposals for a Segway tour company in the park. In 2008, Segway of SF (now Silicon Segway) was given permission to operate a pilot program offering tours of the park that left from behind the bandshell in the music concourse.

According to the Examiner, that pilot program netted $46,000 during the test run. At the time they only allowed people to make reservations online or over the phone.

Now Rec & Park is looking for someone to set up a permanent kiosk near the bandshell to offer tours. They expect the vendor to pay at least $35,000 a year for the privilege. The Examiner reports that Segway of SF / Silicon Segway will be vying for the concession again.

After a quick search, it looks like Segway SF Bay currently offers tours and rentals in Golden Gate Park. So perhaps it will be a bidding battle between Silicon Segway and Segway SF Bay for the business. Tours could begin as early as July.

I took a Segway tour of Golden Gate Park back in 2008 and it was a blast. Even though I’m a San Francisco native, I still learned a few tidbits about the park’s history, and had a great time zipping around to see the sights. And I secretly enjoyed whizzing by walkers on our way to the top of Strawberry Hill.

Segway tours are also offered on Angel Island.

Sarah B.

If you’re a San Franciscan, be glad because you won’t have to pay the new entrance fees at the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park.

The Examiner reports that the Rec and Park Commission voted yesterday to charge non-residents to visit the garden.

The garden has been free for all visitors for the past 60 years, but “because of the disproportionate number of gardeners compared to any other park in The City, the commission decided it had to be done to justify spending so much money on one open space”. The Botanical Garden employs 11 full-time gardeners.

As you may recall, there was a big fight last year to block any admission fees. While there was opposition to this latest effort, the furor from earlier fights seems to have died down. The Rec & Park Dept. also did not hold as many public forums to discuss the issue, which effectively silenced the opposition.

The Commission approved the following fees for non-residents: $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $5 for youth (12-17), $2 for between ages 5-11, free for children under 4. There’s also a family rate for $4.

No word yet on when these new fees will go into effect. The Rec & Park Commission says they will review the fees again in a year. Let’s hope that doesn’t result in adding on a fee for SF residents as well.

What do you think? Will it change whether you recommend the Botanical Garden to visiting friends and family?

Sarah B.

When you visit the Academy, it’s easy to think everything is very buttoned up and orderly when you stare at the different animals in their enclosures. But a recent Wall Street Journal article revealed some of the challenging episodes that a building full of wild specimens can present to those who run the joint.

Last summer, thousands of leafcutter ants inside the Rainforest exhibit figured out how to bore passages inside a feeding tree near their nest, which allowed them to flee their enclosure. A new artificial tree had to be installed and once it’s thoroughly vetted as escape-proof, the ants will be returned to their habitat.

“The ants decided they would like to expand their territory—and proved that they were smarter than the humans who designed their display,” says Stephanie Stone, an academy spokeswoman.

In another part of the building, an apprently shy, 12-inch monitor lizard burrowed into an opening in the artificial rock of his enclosure. Biologists had to employ a tiny remote camera to locate the lizard. Later they installed new rockwork with no openings.

The aquarium curator, Bart Shepherd, says they have been trying unsuccessfully for two months to remove a zebra moray eel so a veterinarian can inspect a growth on its head. So far it continues to elude capture by wedging itself in the rocks of the 300 gallon tank where it lives.

Shepherd told the WSJ, “We want to have all these animals under control because this is a controlled environment. But when you reproduce the natural environment, then they have an advantage.”

Even before the Academy’s makeover and re-opening, the staff met challenges trying to “tame” their wild inhabitants. About 10 years ago, crabs kept mysteriously disappearing from a tank. The bandit was a giant octupus two tanks over, who was using his giant tentacle to sneak out at night and catch crabs.

For more on the ants and other Academy animal hijinks, get the full story at wsj.com.

Sarah B.

The California Academy of Sciences shared some video today of their Wagler Pit Viper (Tropidolaemus wagleri) getting her weekly meal of a frozen mouse (they are thawed and warmed just before feeding). More on this beautiful viper:

Wagler’s Pit Vipers live in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. They find their food—mainly small mammals and birds—using heat sensitive pits located between their eyes and nostrils. The receptors in these pits are associated with the visual processing center of the brain which allows them to literally see heat emitted from their prey.

It looks like he even licks his lips and burps at the end, in an oh-so-snakey way. I sure they hope they shot this with a long zoom lens and a 10-ft. mouse pole!

Sarah B.

Some culinary tidbits to share with you all…

Hot dogs for everyone! SFGate’s City Insider reports that plans are being finalized for new cart vendors to find a home in Golden Gate Park by this summer. Look for Blue Bottle Coffee and Annie’s Hot Dogs to pop up behind the bandshell. Let’s Be Frank will operate in front of the Conservatory of Flowers and Annie’s Hot Dogs will set up shop at Spreckel’s Lake. I think there are already hot dog vendors at the Conservatory and Spreckels so maybe it’s just an extension of their contracts?

The Insider adds, “Let’s Be Frank would be permitted to sell at different locations on a roving basis, such as Ocean Beach on sunny days or at a neighborhood park hosting a soccer tournament.”

GrubStreet reports that Outer Richmond ramen/shabu shabu shop Watami (5344 Geary) may be morphing into a place called…Morph. Expected to be Asian fusion, the restaurant got a license to sell beer and wine, a Facebook fan page is set up, and the interior has been spruced up. No word yet on when it will morph into an open eatery.

SFWeekly reports the opening of Quan Bac (4112 Geary at 5th Avenue), which took over the space that housed Sushi Rock #3. Owned by Shera Le, who also runs Bun Bo Hue Quan Ngon Vietnamese Noodle on Noriega, Quan Bac specializes in French-Vietnamese fusion.

As part of Yelp Drinks Week from March 1 – 7, the Cliff House is offering some appealing drink specials. Sip on a House-Made Bloody Mary for $3.75 (regularly $7.50), the Cliff House Sangria for $4 (regularly $8), or the Cliff House Margarita $4.25 (regularly $8.50). Combine that with the ocean view and it sounds like a good time. Thanks to Jim for the tip!

Bon Apetit!

Sarah B.

[RichmondSFBlog cub reporter David was on scene at the Recreation & Park Commission hearing this afternoon where Jimmy's Old Car Picnic organizers appealed their permit denial. Special thanks to him for sending in a report.]

The negative impact of 800 parked cars on Speedway Meadow grounds was their original reasoning for denying the venue permit for Jimmy’s Old Car Picnic. The department instead offered asphalt locations like Ocean Beach parking lot and JFK Drive as alternatives.

At the meeting, Rec & Park staff spoke first regarding the appeal and discussed some ideas about soil compaction and a new policy about limiting events in the park to protect the turf and trees.

After the staff spoke, it was time for public testimony. About forty people attended the meeting to speak in support of the picnic. Many of their comments referred to the family-focused, multi-generation aspect of the picnic and its role as a true San Francisco tradition. Said one speaker, “Jimmy’s is a San Franciso institution like the cable cars. God bless Jimmy!”

Commissioners were shown pictures of semi trucks parked on the grass for equipment and thousands of people dancing around at other Golden Gate Park events such as Outside Lands. A letter from Rec & Park staff was also circulated that stated Jimmy’s Old Car Picnic had never caused any damage to the meadow.

By the end of the debate, Rec & Park Commissioners were unwilling to deny the appeal in the face of public support and instead offered a temporary compromise. To further evaluate the issue, several commisioners will visit the site and sponsor investigation into the impact of frequent large events on park grounds.

Let’s not drag this out too long, Commissioners. How much time has to pass before you can issue the permit and still save face?

Sarah B.

Paper hearts and penguins – this is just too cute. [Note that the video has no sound] – Sarah B.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the Valentine’s Day Penguin Show & Tell program that took place on Sunday, Feb 14, 2010. Biologist Pam is distributing hand-made valentines to the birds, who will use the material in their nests. This type of enrichment activity is something we do often to keep the birds engaged and it mimics the foraging that wild African penguins do year-round to keep their nests comfortable.

And here’s Academy penguin “Tag”. She has arranged the valentines hearts into her nest, layered among the leaves. African penguins don’t tend to shred materials as some other birds do. They often take whole items and arrange them in a thick layer. Some of the female penguins at the Academy are fastidious about nest arrangement while others are a little less obsessive. ”Tag” is currently sitting on 2 eggs.

More on the penguins at the California Academy of Sciences

SFWeekly have a funny post today asking, “What’s Left To Do at Strybing Arboretum?” after noting the extensive prohibited behaviors sign at the entrance to the Botanical Garden.

Hey, we appreciate that there are things you shouldn’t do at a classy arboretum like Strybing. But we have to admit — this sign is just a bit unintentionally hilarious. We believe the one just above the “No stealing food from squirrels’ mouths” is “no taxation without representation.”

What the heck is the symbol that’s third from the bottom? No leaf dancing?

Sarah B.