Golden Gate Bird Alliance supports the restoration of the wetland habitat at Sharp Park.
Sharp Park should be converted to a wetland park to preserve habitat for the two protected species (the San Francisco Garter Snake is state and federally listed as endangered and the Red-legged Frog is federally listed as threatened). Current golf course operations including mowing and water management practices threaten these species at Sharp Park.
On November 6, 2009 SF Recreation & Park’s Department released a report with three alternatives for the future of Sharp Park. The General Manager of SF Recreation & Parks Department recommended the all golf alternative which provides the least habitat for the endangered and threatened species. The report did not contain a schedule or complete budget to restore Sharp Park habitat for the California Red-legged Frog and SF Garter Snake. The report did not consider transferring the property to or developing a joint management agreement with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area .
The National Park Service has experience managing threatened and endangered species. This is a great opportunity for the public to experience the area while providing a wildlife corridor with the adjacent Mori Point for the threatened species and other wildlife. Mori Point is managed by the National Park Service.
Continuing the Sharp Park golf course does not make financial sense for these reasons:
*Between 2007 and 2012 San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department’s internal financial analysis projects a minimum $2million loss at Sharp Park (Kamalanthan, 2007)
*A $5million SF Public Utilities Commission project to convert up to 50 million gallons of water to irrigate the golf course using recycled water is on hold pending a City report about Sharp Park. If the golf course is converted to a wetland park, then this project will be unnecessary and funds can be used elsewhere.
*The 2008 San Francisco Golf Course Task Force recommended private fundraising to invest $12-14million for golf course improvements to Sharp Park. Rounds of golf played have dropped 40% at Sharp Park since 2000.
*Continuing the golf course at Sharp Park will require San Francisco to pay an estimated $32million to improve the seawall (Battalio). If the golf course is closed and the park is restored to the natural dune and wetland habitat, then a much smaller seawall project would be needed.
Please contact Mayor Newsom and your supervisor to let them know that you support the restoration of the wetland at Sharp Park. Ask that they let you know their position on the future of Sharp Park. Send of a copy of this letter to us. Thank You!
For more information see Restore Sharp Park
Mayor Gavin Newsom (415) 554-6141- Voice
Email: gavin.newsom@sfgov.org
Eric Mar, District 1 Michela Alioto-Pier, District 2
(415) 554-7410 – Voice (415) 554-7752 – Voice
Eric.L.Mar@sfgov.org Michela.Alioto-Pier@sfgov.org
David Chiu – Board President, District 3 Carmen Chu, District 4
(415) 554-7450 – Voice (415) 554-7460 – Voice
David.Chiu@sfgov.org Carmen.Chu@sfgov.org
Ross Mirkarimi, District 5 Chris Daly, District 6
(415) 554-7630 – Voice (415) 554-7970 – Voice
Ross.Mirkarimi@sfgov.org Chris.Daly@sfgov.org
Sean Elsbernd, District 7 Bevan Dufty, District 8
(415) 554-6516 – Voice (415) 554-6968 – Voice
Sean.Elsbernd@sfgov.org Bevan.Dufty@sfgov.org
David Campos, District 9 Sophie Maxwell, District 10
(415) 554-5144 – Voice (415) 554-7670 – Voice
David.Campos@sfgov.org Sophie.Maxwell@sfgov.org
John Avalos, District 11 ggas@goldengatebirdalliance.org
(415) 554-6975 – Voice
John.Avalos@sfgov.org