Day 1: Joe Lee Recreation Center, MLK Pool, and Bayview Playground
Tuesday, July 7, 2009Posted by
Reflindo
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July 7th, 2009
As the new General Manager of the Recreation and Park Department, I am honored to be the lead steward of San Francisco's 220 parks. In this job, I know I will encounter a lot of challenges and I certainly have much to learn, but I am also determined to have fun. I think it's critical that our department build stronger relationships and better communication with our park advocates and users. To that end, I have decided -- for the first time ever in my 42 years on this planet -- to blog. With apologies to all you fluent bloggers, facebookers and tweeters out there, here it goes:
I had a great first day! I started my morning where I want to spend most of my time in this job. Away from my desk, out of my office and with the passionate users and dedicated line staff at our parks, recreation centers, gyms, art studios and playfields. I began my journey in the Bayview visiting two of our facilities in the neighborhood: Joe Lee Recreation Center, MLK Pool and Bayview Playground.
I remember attending the opening of Joe Lee a few years ago. I was impressed with it then and I was impressed today to see it in full action. While the staff is stretched very thin, they are amazingly dedicated to the community and very talented. I went to the gym and challenged two seven-year-old boys to a game of H-O-R-S-E. It was the only time in my life when I actually had a height advantage playing basketball. I won this time, but I have no doubt that they will be able to school me in a couple years.
Two things I noticed for improvement: 1) We have to complete the repairs to the rubber surfacing on the playground. (Sections of it were removed due to sinkage.) and 2) We have to fix the drinking fountain in the gym. Overall, this facility looked great and the staff was doing an amazing job, even if challenged by the Department's recent budget cuts.
Three things I noticed for improvement: 1) The railings to the entry way to the pool are badly in need of a paint job, 2) We need to etch the floors in the locker rooms to make them less slippery, and 3) I am told that a bench in one of the women’s showers is broken. Overall, I was very impressed with what I saw at MLK Pool.
Bayview Playground was, unfortunately, in pretty tough shape. The park has nice, modern play equipment, but the grounds have not been well-maintained. This park faces a lot of challenges with illegal camping and drug use. I will definitely have to find a way to see that this park gets more attention.
I had a great first day! I started my morning where I want to spend most of my time in this job. Away from my desk, out of my office and with the passionate users and dedicated line staff at our parks, recreation centers, gyms, art studios and playfields. I began my journey in the Bayview visiting two of our facilities in the neighborhood: Joe Lee Recreation Center, MLK Pool and Bayview Playground.
I remember attending the opening of Joe Lee a few years ago. I was impressed with it then and I was impressed today to see it in full action. While the staff is stretched very thin, they are amazingly dedicated to the community and very talented. I went to the gym and challenged two seven-year-old boys to a game of H-O-R-S-E. It was the only time in my life when I actually had a height advantage playing basketball. I won this time, but I have no doubt that they will be able to school me in a couple years.
Two things I noticed for improvement: 1) We have to complete the repairs to the rubber surfacing on the playground. (Sections of it were removed due to sinkage.) and 2) We have to fix the drinking fountain in the gym. Overall, this facility looked great and the staff was doing an amazing job, even if challenged by the Department's recent budget cuts.
Then, I was off to MLK Pool where we took a quick swim. It is a beautiful pool and it was fun to see the department's "Learn to Swim" program in action. I watched kids ranging in age from six to twelve becoming skilled swimmers. I had a good conversation with the life guards and got a good understanding of competing demands for pool time and our staffing challenges.
Three things I noticed for improvement: 1) The railings to the entry way to the pool are badly in need of a paint job, 2) We need to etch the floors in the locker rooms to make them less slippery, and 3) I am told that a bench in one of the women’s showers is broken. Overall, I was very impressed with what I saw at MLK Pool.Bayview Playground was, unfortunately, in pretty tough shape. The park has nice, modern play equipment, but the grounds have not been well-maintained. This park faces a lot of challenges with illegal camping and drug use. I will definitely have to find a way to see that this park gets more attention.
At the end of the day, I had an open house in my office to meet RPD staff. I am honored to be working with this amazing group of people. We have an exciting journey ahead!
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