New report collects complaints
about San Francisco parks

By Brent Begin, Bay City News Service

February 13, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - Graffiti, trash and damaged facilities are among the most common complaints of San Francisco's park system, according to an independent report released yesterday.

The ParkScan.org 2006 year-end review tabulated the concerns of over 1,600 park users and vandalism was cited as the biggest issue, followed by the shoddy state of fields, playgrounds, restrooms and athletic facilities.

The nonprofit agency running the survey relays the complaints of park users to the Recreation and Parks Department, which can then base its repairs on the complaints of residents.

"In the past, city residents relied on phoning or writing to the city about problems, and often these did not reach the right person to address the problem," said Alfredo Pedroza, Parkscan.org technical outreach coordinator. "Now, the city has a paper trail via the Internet, and the correct staff person can be reached within minutes."

A listing of the parks surveyed and the playgrounds that received the worst ratings can be found in the report.

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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