By Michelle Welch, HANC Board Member

HANC has been invited to participate in a community-initiated planning process for the Panhandle.

Three Community Meetings have been scheduled:

SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 11:00am – 12:30 pm
Panhandle Playground Bulletin Board (Rain or shine following Steward's Work Day)

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
PRO/SF General Mtg @ Bread & Butter Café 1901 Hayes St

SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1–2:30 pm
Park Branch Library, Park Meeting Room 1833 Page St

HANC has long been concerned about deteriorating conditions in the Panhandle (particularly the faulty sprinkler/irrigation system which creates drainage issues AND the southern pedestrian pathway) and RPDs general policy of “deferred maintenance” for non-revenue-producing neighborhood parks.

The Board of the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council takes the position that the southern pedestrian path, and sprinkler/irrigation system replacement, should be part of RPDs budget.  These capital improvements to the Panhandle should be done together, and we worry that piecemeal projects will be less than efficient, and result in higher costs.  

This does not mean that we don’t support the planning process for the Panhandle project.

We encourage HANC members to join representatives of NOPNA, PROSF, HANC and other neighborhood groups at any of three meetings to discuss upgrades to Panhandle paths and develop an application to be submitted to SF Rec and Park's Community Opportunity Fund Grant Program. This is a program of the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond.

Meeting topics will include:

• Feedback on what types of improvements are needed
• Preliminary ideas such as:
      1. Wayfinding/ signage for all users (pedestrians, cyclists, locals, visitors)
      2. Re-paving the South pedestrian-only path, including improved drainage
      3. Improved lighting, including quantity and quality
      4. Increased amenities: benches, trash + recycle cans, bike racks

• Design solutions, including location, materials and detail concepts