This summer our Board endorsed Proposition K, a ballot measure to turn the Upper Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Sloat Blvd into a permanent park space: Ocean Beach Park.
We are excited about this proposition and the potential to gain a new 17-acre oceanfront park in our city. When I joined the staff at SFBike in 2021, a rally to keep the Great Highway as a car-free space for people was the very first event I attended. It was incredible to see the love and passion for car-free spaces and how they can completely transform the way we live and get around our beautiful city. It had an enormous impact on me as a San Franciscan, and as a community organizer for SFBike.
We’ve all seen the success of the JFK Promenade since the last election when Yes on Prop J swept the polls. The JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park has shown us just how much people want car-free spaces both for recreation and for commuting. At SFBike, we’re working toward a citywide, interconnected network of car-free and people-prioritized corridors that are safe and universally accessible – and Ocean Beach Park has the potential to help us achieve that more livable, connected, and sustainable city.
Currently, the Sunset District does not have a single protected bike lane – and it’s severely lacking in safe bike routes, both north-south and east-west. The Sunset has the potential to be an amazing hub and connector for biking, walking, and rolling and Ocean Beach Park can help us realize that vision.
San Francisco and the world are facing a looming climate crisis. Transportation emissions account for the city’s second largest contributor to greenhouse gasses. Ocean Beach Park will help more people to choose sustainable modes of transportation for their everyday trips and revolutionize the way we get around. Passing Prop K will allow us to better adapt to sea level rise and take the necessary steps to protect our coast. Climate mitigation and adaptation are needed urgently and Proposition K achieves both.
Connie Jeung-Mills, senior, long-time Castro resident and superstar volunteer for Ocean Beach Park, shared with me last weekend at a door-knocking event why she’s devoting her time to Yes on K.
“I can walk up and down [Ocean Beach Park] without getting hit by a car – that’s really important to me. I’ve lived in the city for a long time and this is a great opportunity to create community space. I’ve met people who live on the eastside of SF and have never been to the beach, especially kids. We have public transit to get to the beach – which is great. It would be even better to have park facilities, like benches and bathrooms, there for the people who come all the way from across the city to enjoy the beach.”
Help us win a permanent Ocean Beach Park this election season. Vote Yes on K! Talk to your friends about why Ocean Beach Park matters to you. Most importantly, volunteer at one of our upcoming events to help get the word out.
We are going to be stationed at the Fort Mason and Ferry Building Farmers’ Markets on alternating weekends leading up to the election. Join us to win Yes on K!
Upcoming dates:*
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- Sun Sept 8 Fort Mason 10am-12pm
- Sat Sept 14 Sunset bike ride 12-2pm
- Sun Sept 15 Fort Mason 10am-12pm
- Sun 22 Fort Mason 10am-12pm
- Sat Sept 28 Ferry Building 10am-12pm
- Sun Oct 6 Fort Mason 10am-12pm
- Sat Oct 12 Ferry Building 10am-12pm
- Sat Oct 19 Ferry Building 10am-12pm
- Sat Nov 2 Ferry Building 10am-12pm
- Sun Nov 3 Fort Mason 10am-12pm
*Dates and times are subject to change. Check the calendar to get updated information.