BARCA! BARCA! BARCA!
Friday, August 7, 2009Posted by
Reflindo
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Friday August 7th -- This morning we had the great pleasure of welcoming FC Barcelona to Kezar Stadium. On a brilliantly sunny morning, the world's greatest soccer team practiced on our field from 10-11:30. Rec and Park partnered with the San Francisco Parks Trust, the San Jose Earthquake and FC Barcelona to host approximately 5,000 fans at the event.Thanks to the generosity of several co-sponsors, we raised approximately $40k for youth soccer and hosted hundreds of kids from all over the City along with elected officials, department heads, community leaders, Rec and Park staff, along with throngs of soccer enthusiasts willing to wait in line beginning early Friday morning.
Check out some video here!
As if a 90-minute practice featuring Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Seydou Kieta weren't enough, guests were treated to a Spanish-style brunch and a meet-and-greet with Brandi Chastain, one of this country's true soccer heroes.
B-A-R-C-A! B-A-R-C-A! There were lots of smiling faces at Kezar today, all enjoying a truly unique experience. My very special thanks to Brandi and her 3-year-old son Jaden and her FC Gold Pride coach Albertine Montoya for joining us. FC Gold Pride, the Bay Area's women professional soccer team, plays down in Santa Clara.....(but how about a game or two at Kezar next year?).
Friday afternoon, I had an interesting meeting with some of this city's leading naturalists and environmental stewards representing Nature in the City, the Audubon Society and others. I was briefed on the importance of our Natural Areas program and on some of the more challenging issues facing Rec and Park as we attempt to chart a proper course for our parks and open spaces that balance the recreational interests, needs and desires of our diverse population of park users with our responsibility to steward and protect our natural environment and wildlife.
As if that task isn't challenging enough, speaking of balancing competing recreational interests, needs and desires, my day concluded with District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty, city representatives and about 25 concerned neighbors of Dolores Park. As I've commented before, Dolores Park has become a destination park that is challenged by its popularity, lots of permitted and non-permitted events, poor park infrastructure that does not effectively accommodate large crowds (i.e. the bathrooms are horrendous) and maddeningly irresponsible park behavior by a few which is severely impacting the experience of many.
Dolores Park will be receiving a significant face lift in the next few years that will hopefully allow us to resolve some of our bigger challenges through smart planning and design of significant capital improvements. Until then though, we will be working very closely with concerned neighbors in an effort to address some very legitimate concerns.
As if a 90-minute practice featuring Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Seydou Kieta weren't enough, guests were treated to a Spanish-style brunch and a meet-and-greet with Brandi Chastain, one of this country's true soccer heroes.
B-A-R-C-A! B-A-R-C-A! There were lots of smiling faces at Kezar today, all enjoying a truly unique experience. My very special thanks to Brandi and her 3-year-old son Jaden and her FC Gold Pride coach Albertine Montoya for joining us. FC Gold Pride, the Bay Area's women professional soccer team, plays down in Santa Clara.....(but how about a game or two at Kezar next year?).
Friday afternoon, I had an interesting meeting with some of this city's leading naturalists and environmental stewards representing Nature in the City, the Audubon Society and others. I was briefed on the importance of our Natural Areas program and on some of the more challenging issues facing Rec and Park as we attempt to chart a proper course for our parks and open spaces that balance the recreational interests, needs and desires of our diverse population of park users with our responsibility to steward and protect our natural environment and wildlife.
As if that task isn't challenging enough, speaking of balancing competing recreational interests, needs and desires, my day concluded with District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty, city representatives and about 25 concerned neighbors of Dolores Park. As I've commented before, Dolores Park has become a destination park that is challenged by its popularity, lots of permitted and non-permitted events, poor park infrastructure that does not effectively accommodate large crowds (i.e. the bathrooms are horrendous) and maddeningly irresponsible park behavior by a few which is severely impacting the experience of many.
Dolores Park will be receiving a significant face lift in the next few years that will hopefully allow us to resolve some of our bigger challenges through smart planning and design of significant capital improvements. Until then though, we will be working very closely with concerned neighbors in an effort to address some very legitimate concerns.
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