An overhead view showing the renovated parking, playground and seating area.
As we’ve covered in the past, the proposed project to install new artificial turf fields at Beach Chalet is undergoing an environment impact report per the Planning Commission.
The first step in the process is a community meeting where interested parties can give input about what they think should be included in the study. That meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 23 at 6:30pm. It will be held at the Golden Gate Park Senior Center on Fulton at 37th Avenue.
Prompting the EIR were concerns from community members and animal groups about some aspects of the project. The proposed 60 foot lighting towers have been one point of contention, with opponents claiming that they will disrupt migrating birds that fly overhead, provide too much ambient light, and ruin sunset viewing at Ocean Beach.
Other groups are concerned about the plans to remove some trees around the fields and the parking area, while others just don’t want artificial turf in Golden Gate Park.
For more information on the Beach Chalet project, read our most recent update, visit the City Fields Foundation website or view the project plan.
Sarah B.
This is one of the best projects that could happen in Golden Gate Park. It will provide year round recreational space and many hours of enjoyment for residents. Artificial turf does not need to be watered or cut and will not be full of gopher holes, which will reduce injury for users. The lighting will not have any more impact on wildlife or sunset viewing than streetlights already do. Hopefully this project will happen as planned.
If they dump the lights, I’ll bet the support for the project will increase. Otherwise, I hope this dies a fast death.
Well said, Paul. As a player in an adult soccer league, I feel the effects of field shortages every spring and fall. San Francisco needs more space for everyone to play organized sports, kids and adults alike. The project will more than double the field time available at Beach Chalet, meaning everyone can get more playing time with less risk of injury.
There’s nothing wrong with having lighting there. I love it when people say that installing something will “ruin” an experience. As though people can’t move down a bit to see the sunset. And if you are on the beach, I highly doubt your viewing experience of the sunset will be “ruined” by the lights way off in the distance.
ditto Rob, i have no problem with the fields, but those lights are ridiculous. it’ll be just like the South Sunset playfield down on Vicente, where you can see the lights from like 10 blocks away. i don’t want to be staring at those lights til 10pm every single night. no thanks.
and Paul, those lights are supposed to stick up 10ft over the tree line, and are stadium lighting. definitely not comparable with street lights.
AB, I bet you didn’t live there when Playland was still open.
The problem with this plan is that the artificial turf fields are dangerously toxic. They’re made of plastic and mashed up tires. The tires are filled with all kinds of bad chemicals, including several that are listed as toxins in Prop 65. These fields are so bad they’re flammable! Rec & Park/CitiFields, who want to install the fields, will have you believe these fake fields are safe. Don’t believe them. Come to the Scoping Session on Weds., Jeb. 23, and hear the other side.