McGoldrick requests Golden Gate Park Saturday auto ban veto override vote

From the office of Jake McGoldrick

May 15, 2006

San Francisco- Mayor Newsom vetoed the Healthy Saturdays legislation that would have increased green openspace, recreational activities, disabled access, and safe areas for families and children to play in Golden Gate Park. Supervisor McGoldrick, the sponsor of this legislation, has requested that a veto override vote be taken at the next full Board of Supervisors Meeting

"I feel that this legislation is extremely important for the people and families who live in San Francisco, a city that must offer more safe and free recreational opportunities to be more a livable city," said Supervisor Jake McGoldrick.

Healthy Saturdays intended to close JFK Drive for a 1.5 mile stretch of road for vehicles, from Transverse Drive to Crossover Drive on Saturdays on a trial basis this summer to mimic the extremely popular care free space that has been enjoyed by many for the last 39 years. "I am surprised that our 'green' Mayor who signed the San Francisco Urban Environmental Accords during World Environment Day, has decided to recall his priorities of making this City a greener cleaner place, and listen to anecdotal information from neighborhood groups and small business owners, whose concerns would have been considered and studied as a result of my legislation," said Supervisor Jake McGoldrick.

The purpose of a six-month trial closure was to monitor the impacts to the neighborhoods and business in the surrounding area on Saturdays and Sundays. This would entail studying park usage, impacts on neighborhoods and local businesses, and environmental and safety impacts. City Departments were required to report back to the Board of Supervisors during the trial and immediately mitigate any potential problems.
(continue on next page)

The claims that Mayor Newsom states for vetoing this legislation have already been addressed in the legislation that the Board of Supervisors supported with a 7-4 vote. "It is unfortunate that our Mayor does not understand the intent of this legislation," said Supervisor Jake McGoldrick. Access to the cultural institutions have been addressed, especially with the trailing legislation introduced by Supervisor Jake McGoldrick which would have opened up Arguello to Conservatory Drive West for drop off and parking for the Conservatory of Flowers. Also, not only does this legislation address disabled access for Saturdays, but it also provides for access on Sundays that has not been in place for the past 39 years.

The mayor gave one additional reason for his decision to veto Healthy Saturdays, which was that it went against the will of the voters. This argument is false, considering the voters have never considered a six-month trial program, car access to the Conservatory of Flowers, completion of the Concourse Garage, and ADA accessibility.

####