In December, the City Controller released a report showing that 84.8% of SF public parks received ‘A’ or ‘B’ grades. NPC values the detailed evaluation of our parks, because it allows us to advocate resources where they are needed most. We look forward to partnering with the neighborhoods and RPD in 2010 to address inequities.
December 18, 2009, SAN FRANCISCO—City parks improved for the fourth consecutive year and nearly 85 percent of parks scored A or B grades, according to the City Controller’s Office’s Fiscal Year 2008-09 Parks Annual Report, released this week.
“The Controller’s report is an encouraging indicator that we’re on the right path to providing the type of world-class parks and facilities our citizens expect and deserve,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom.
The report is based on park evaluations conducted throughout the year by Controller’s Office staff as well as Recreation and Park Department managers and supervisors. Evaluators use pre-established park maintenance standards as a guide to grade park conditions and features such as lawns, trees, children’s play areas and benches and tables.
Generally, a score above 85 percent would likely indicate that an individual park is well-maintained and that its features are in good condition. Each park is rated for the features present and the park score is the percentage of elements of each feature that pass the standard.
The citywide average score in FY 2008-09 was 87.3 percent, up from 86.2 percent in FY 2007-08 and 60.5 percent in FY 2005-06, continuing a four-year trend of improvement.
“The evaluation process has been an invaluable tool for our Department and the city as a whole to quantify and examine park conditions,” said Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the Recreation and Park Department. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Controller’s Office as a way to keep improving our beloved parks.”
The report did find that some of the lower performing parks were in District 10, in the southeast portion of the city, although the overall score of the parks in this area of the city has improved more than ten percent since FY 2005-06.
“It’s clear that we have to renew our commitment and invest more resources in District 10,” said Ginsburg.
To read the full report, visit http://co.sfgov.org/
