Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Day 16: Rossi Needs Some Work; Harding Park is Shaping Up
Wednesday, July 22, 2009Posted by
Reflindo
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Today I visited some of our facilities in the Richmond District. First, I toured Rossi Pool with our aquatics manager, Danny Ogawa. Rossi is one of our older facilities and it shows. While the pool is certainly functional, the locker rooms are dank and the building is showing its age. There are some broken window panes which have been boarded up instead of replaced, something I'm not happy about and have requested to be fixed as soon as possible.
I watched a senior swim and exercise class, which was packed. The pool is also home to one of the city's strongest swim programs, led by longtime Rec and Park lifeguard Mike Wong.
I watched a senior swim and exercise class, which was packed. The pool is also home to one of the city's strongest swim programs, led by longtime Rec and Park lifeguard Mike Wong. While touring Rossi Pool, I also saw the adjacent Rossi Park and Playground. I have often heard park and playground users complain about not being able to use the pool bathrooms. I asked staff why and it was reasonably explained to me that if we allow park and playground users access into the pool bathrooms, we would be creating safety and cleanliness issues in the facility that would be difficult to manage. At present, the only bathroom at Rossi is located across the street in the Edward Street Annex. The Restroom Task Force has included Rossi, along with 27 other RPD facilities on a list of possible restroom upgrades that will be funded with $11.4 million in bond funds. Stay tuned. By the way, the Annex is a great space with some fantastic potential. What more could it and should it be?
After visiting Rossi, I toured Richmond Rec Center, where I participated in an Edible Art class run by Recreation Directors Dan Dickinson and Wayne Barry. We made fantastic works of art using various food ingredients. Needless to say, it was a very creative, very popular and very delicious class.
I also watched a group of seniors tap dancing to some hot songs from the musical “Chicago.” Their spirit and talent left me smiling the rest of the day. You can catch their act at Marina Green on August 5 at Play Day on the Green
Golf in San Francisco has a rich history. On the professional level, the PGA Tour and the Ladies PGA (LPGA) have held high-profile tournaments in the city over the years, including the US Open at Olympic in 1998 and, most recently, the American Express Championship at Harding in 2005. But the real heart of golf in San Francisco can be found daily on our public courses, where duffers of all ages and abilities come to enjoy Harding, Golden Gate Park, Lincoln, Gleneagles and Sharp Park in nearby Pacifica.
After visiting Rossi, I toured Richmond Rec Center, where I participated in an Edible Art class run by Recreation Directors Dan Dickinson and Wayne Barry. We made fantastic works of art using various food ingredients. Needless to say, it was a very creative, very popular and very delicious class.I also watched a group of seniors tap dancing to some hot songs from the musical “Chicago.” Their spirit and talent left me smiling the rest of the day. You can catch their act at Marina Green on August 5 at Play Day on the Green
In the afternoon, City Administrator Ed Lee and I met with Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour officials and RPD staff preparing for the President's Cup at Harding Park Golf Course in October. The President’s Cup is a prestigious bi-annual golf competition that pits the best American golfers against the world’s best non-European golfers. This year, Tiger Woods will lead the American squad against the likes of Vijay Singh (Fiji), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) and Retief Goosen (South Africa). http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/presidentscup
Our crews are working as hard as they can to get this course ready for the world stage. We are working to make sure staff has the resources and equipment they need to get the job done.
Our crews are working as hard as they can to get this course ready for the world stage. We are working to make sure staff has the resources and equipment they need to get the job done.
Golf in San Francisco has a rich history. On the professional level, the PGA Tour and the Ladies PGA (LPGA) have held high-profile tournaments in the city over the years, including the US Open at Olympic in 1998 and, most recently, the American Express Championship at Harding in 2005. But the real heart of golf in San Francisco can be found daily on our public courses, where duffers of all ages and abilities come to enjoy Harding, Golden Gate Park, Lincoln, Gleneagles and Sharp Park in nearby Pacifica. Day 12: McLaren Park, Coffman Pool, Summer of Unity and Golden Gate Park
Saturday, July 18, 2009Posted by
Reflindo
Saturday, July 18th, 2009
My day began with my morning run in Golden Gate Park. Next Sunday, I am running the San Francisco Marathon. Today's run was rather short as I am beginning to taper in preparation for the race. My dog, Barney (a 3-year-old beagle/basset) accompanied me (on leash). On Saturdays between May and October, JFK Drive is closed to traffic between the Concourse and Transverse Drive. There were lots of runners, walkers, bikers, seniors and kids out and about this morning enjoying the car free space. After my run, I headed off with my two daughters, Grace and Sarah, to check out what else was happening in our parks today. 
From there, my daughters and I joined up with McLaren Park community volunteers -- including Supervisor John Avalos -- and Rec/Park staff who were giving McLaren Park's 14 signs a new look and a fresh coat of paint.
We tackled a large sign across from Coffman Pool on Sunnydale. My kids were enthusiastic volunteers, but I will be cleaning paint out of their hair and from behind their ears for days to come....While there, we stopped by Coffman Pool which looked clean, bright and thriving. I met Alan, our pool director, and his three interns who were working hard to keep the place clean and safe.
Next, my girls and I stopped by the Summer of Unity Festival in Sunnydale. Hosted by the Mayor's Offices of Criminal Justice and Neighborhood Services and the San Francisco Housing Authority, Summer of Unity is a traveling festival and direct services clinic. Our department is proud to co-sponsor this great event, designed to meet the immediate needs of individuals who are at risk of being involved in street violence. In addition to a basketball tournament, DJ, BBQ and bounce house, the events provide youth with opportunities to sign-up for programs and services. We are excited to promote our recreational programming and physically active and healthy life choices at all of the Summer of Unity events this summer.
At the County Fair Building, the Department's human resources staff was administering an exam that will help us select nearly 60 new permanent gardeners. Today, those spots are filled by provisional (temporary) employees. Over 120 candidates took the test which consisted of multiple choice questions about the gardening profession and a plant identification exercise. It was great to see so many
people excited about the opportunity to work as public servants in our department and I wish all of the candidates the very best of luck.
From there, my daughters and I joined up with McLaren Park community volunteers -- including Supervisor John Avalos -- and Rec/Park staff who were giving McLaren Park's 14 signs a new look and a fresh coat of paint.
We tackled a large sign across from Coffman Pool on Sunnydale. My kids were enthusiastic volunteers, but I will be cleaning paint out of their hair and from behind their ears for days to come....While there, we stopped by Coffman Pool which looked clean, bright and thriving. I met Alan, our pool director, and his three interns who were working hard to keep the place clean and safe.Next, my girls and I stopped by the Summer of Unity Festival in Sunnydale. Hosted by the Mayor's Offices of Criminal Justice and Neighborhood Services and the San Francisco Housing Authority, Summer of Unity is a traveling festival and direct services clinic. Our department is proud to co-sponsor this great event, designed to meet the immediate needs of individuals who are at risk of being involved in street violence. In addition to a basketball tournament, DJ, BBQ and bounce house, the events provide youth with opportunities to sign-up for programs and services. We are excited to promote our recreational programming and physically active and healthy life choices at all of the Summer of Unity events this summer.
Day 2: Sharon Arts Studio, Hamilton Pool and Patricia's Green
Wednesday, July 8, 2009Posted by
Reflindo
July 8th, 2009San Francisco is soon to have a new epicenter of fun! This morning, I visited Hamilton Pool, which is currently under renovation. It has two large waterslides -- the only ones in the city -- and the only thing that kept me from trying them out was a lack of water in the pool. I can't wait until this pool opens in the fall. My kids -- and yours -- are going to love it.
I began my day at Sharon Arts Studio, the department's fine art center in Golden Gate Park. It is located in a beautiful building next to the Koret Playground. This is a relatively unknown San Francisco treasure, offering classes in ceramics, glass, jewelry, drawing, and watercolor. The Friends of Sharon Arts provide great support to this incredible studio.
Hamilton Pool and Recreation Center along with the City Fields initiative at Kimball Park right across Geary Blvd has the potential to be not only an important community hub for the Western Addition -- which has a serious lack of recreational opportunities in this neighborhood -- but also a Citywide destination athletic complex. Together these two sites will offer a new pool, multi-purpose indoor basketball court, playground, four refurbished tennis courts, two volley ball courts and multi use fields for softball, soccer etc.
At the end of my second day, I attended the Neighborhood Park Council's Summer Social. I had a great time meeting park advocates from around the city and hearing their ideas for improving their parks.
The party took place in Hayes Valley at Patricia's Green, which really is an amazing park complete with interesting art, challenging climbing structures for kids, and beautiful landscaping. Community Grows has transformed five parks in Hayes Valley -- including Patricia's Green -- and was honored with the Green Choice Award in 2009. I look forward to meeting them to learn their secrets to success very soon.
At the end of my second day, I attended the Neighborhood Park Council's Summer Social. I had a great time meeting park advocates from around the city and hearing their ideas for improving their parks.
The party took place in Hayes Valley at Patricia's Green, which really is an amazing park complete with interesting art, challenging climbing structures for kids, and beautiful landscaping. Community Grows has transformed five parks in Hayes Valley -- including Patricia's Green -- and was honored with the Green Choice Award in 2009. I look forward to meeting them to learn their secrets to success very soon.
Day 1: Joe Lee Recreation Center, MLK Pool, and Bayview Playground
Tuesday, July 7, 2009Posted by
Reflindo
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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