Day 4: Helen Wills, Portsmouth Square and the Maintenance Yard
Friday, July 10, 2009Posted by
Reflindo
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July 10, 2009
Today, I visited Helen Wills Playground and Portsmouth Square with Board of Supervisors President David Chiu.
Despite its size (just over three-quarters of an acre), Helen Wills Playground, on the outskirts of Chinatown and smack dab in the middle of where Nob Hill and Russian Hill meet, is a bustling and popular destination for neighborhood youth and families.
I can certainly see why, especially after a fantastic $3.4 million renovation completed in 2005. The play features for young children are fun and inviting and there’s room for a whole host of activities, from indoor activities like ping pong and arts and crafts to outdoor sports like basketball and tennis.
Portsmouth Square, in the heart of Chinatown, is another vibrant park space. There’s something about the Chinatown community that lends a certain energy to this park - the regulars who gather here each day to play chess, the youths who come to play and the tourists who just pass through are all part of the exciting scene here at Portsmouth.
The restrooms at Portsmouth Square have received their share of attention over the years. In recent years though, the condition of the facilities has improved tremendously. To help maintain a high level of service in these restrooms, perhaps we should explore implementing a system whereby custodians would indicate on a public-accessible sheet when these bathrooms are last cleaned.
It was great to visit these two parks with Board President David Chiu. He has a deep understanding of the recreation needs of the people in his district and provided me with a lot of insight on how our department can better serve the community.
Then, I was off to an employee recognition lunch with the fine folks at the Maintenance Yard in Golden Gate Park. Twice a year, our Maintenance Division supervisors and managers pay for a BBQ for staff at the yard. The lunch is funded by $5 weekly contributions from supervising staff throughout the year. These often unheralded Recreation and Park Department employees -- plumbers, iron workers, painters, carpenters, mechanics, electricians and laborers – have hundreds of years of construction and maintenance experience among them and work hard to keep our parks in good working order. I got a good understanding of the challenges they face everyday and I enjoyed some incredible barbecue -- Philly Cheese Steaks (featuring grilled and deli-sliced Tri-tip), straight off the grill.
Despite its size (just over three-quarters of an acre), Helen Wills Playground, on the outskirts of Chinatown and smack dab in the middle of where Nob Hill and Russian Hill meet, is a bustling and popular destination for neighborhood youth and families.
I can certainly see why, especially after a fantastic $3.4 million renovation completed in 2005. The play features for young children are fun and inviting and there’s room for a whole host of activities, from indoor activities like ping pong and arts and crafts to outdoor sports like basketball and tennis.
Portsmouth Square, in the heart of Chinatown, is another vibrant park space. There’s something about the Chinatown community that lends a certain energy to this park - the regulars who gather here each day to play chess, the youths who come to play and the tourists who just pass through are all part of the exciting scene here at Portsmouth.
The restrooms at Portsmouth Square have received their share of attention over the years. In recent years though, the condition of the facilities has improved tremendously. To help maintain a high level of service in these restrooms, perhaps we should explore implementing a system whereby custodians would indicate on a public-accessible sheet when these bathrooms are last cleaned.
It was great to visit these two parks with Board President David Chiu. He has a deep understanding of the recreation needs of the people in his district and provided me with a lot of insight on how our department can better serve the community.Then, I was off to an employee recognition lunch with the fine folks at the Maintenance Yard in Golden Gate Park. Twice a year, our Maintenance Division supervisors and managers pay for a BBQ for staff at the yard. The lunch is funded by $5 weekly contributions from supervising staff throughout the year. These often unheralded Recreation and Park Department employees -- plumbers, iron workers, painters, carpenters, mechanics, electricians and laborers – have hundreds of years of construction and maintenance experience among them and work hard to keep our parks in good working order. I got a good understanding of the challenges they face everyday and I enjoyed some incredible barbecue -- Philly Cheese Steaks (featuring grilled and deli-sliced Tri-tip), straight off the grill.
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