Keep the Golden Gate Park Arboretum Free

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Author: frontdesk

Started: May 11, 2009, 10:57:31 pm

Target: Ex.: The Government

Category: Environment

Supporters:

Goal:

100,000

Goal Progress:

Status

Active

KEEP THE GOLDEN GATE PARK ARBORETUM FREE

Stop Privatization of Public Spaces, Keep San Francisco Public Resources Free

The proposal to charge entry fees to the Strybing Arboretum has caused great concern for many San Francisco residents as it follows a pattern of converting public resources into paid attractions and drawing down on already limited free public spaces. While, this proposal has been brought forth at a time of shrinking budgets for many city departments, including Recreation and Parks, it is in essence a development plan. A plan that transforms the Arboretum into a revenue-producing facility and tourist attraction. Most importantly, it is likely to radically change visitor patterns at the Arboretum and limit access to many who depend on it daily. The open and free nature of the garden will be changed as gates and guards will be posted to limit admission and collect fees – almost certainly discouraging locals who make-up the overwhelming majority of visitors on most days. Since its inception 68 years ago the Arboretum has been supported and maintained as a free common space. Taxpayer dollars, generous support and hard work from many people and volunteers have sustained this wonderful landmark. This proposal draws distressing parallels to the fate of the Japanese Tea Garden that underwent a similar proposal converting its use predominantly for tourists on a brief stop along their rounds of the city and a way to collect a toll from a previously free public space.

Most recently, the Recreation and Parks Department has modified the proposal to charge a fee only to non-resident visitors. While certainly Rec and Parks management views this as an attractive compromise, unfortunately, it does not mitigate the consequences of introducing controls and gates that change the character of the Arboretum as an open, lively, community-oriented place. The history and heritage of this open-to-all garden will be lost and forever dishonored. Charging any fee at all will set the stage for future fees to residents as the infrastructure will be in place and the temptation to do so certainly already exists. Again, the unfortunate fate of the Tea Garden illustrates this tendency.

The ramifications of the proposal are broad and affect all city residents. At heart, it is a question of access to public spaces and the partial or full privatization of public assets to realize different ambitions that may not be in the interests of residents. The Arboretum is a city-wide treasure, but there are many important local spaces such as community centers, recreation facilities and neighborhood parks that need to be protected from perhaps well-meaning but nevertheless misguided privatization.

With proper management, prioritized spending of available funds, and creative fundraising, SF Rec and Parks can sustain the arboretum at its current level of being a highly respected arboretum/botanical garden and continue to operate free to all the public.