The following considerations were established to guide the development of the recreational use actions. The listed considerations were weighted equally in the development process for determining the goals and actions.

A. Improve recreational facilities and amenities around the lake. Those projects that do not conflict with the Significant Natural Resources Management Plan (SNRAMP) should be expedited.

B. Establish stewardship programs.

C. Establish and identify funding for maintenance programs.

D. Survey safety and security needs and provide recommended solutions.

E. Expedite projects not dependent on water management.

In the course of public meetings, various recommendations were brought forth, discussed and incorporated in the Recreational Use Program. A user survey conducted in 1989 at Lake Merced supports these recommendations. (Refer to Appendix I for a summary of the survey.) However, due to a lack of support, consistency, or City management framework, some suggestions were not considered currently feasible. Refer to Appendix J, "Unincorporated Suggestions Via The Public Process," for more information.

In 1987, city voters approved a bond measure to provide capital projects funding for six SFRPD facilities, including Lake Merced. From this $18 million Park Bond, the anticipated budget for various improvements at Lake Merced was $1.1 million. Improvements at Lake Merced will be implemented in the recommended order of priorities until all available funds are expended. However improvements, which can be accomplished at little or no cost, may be implemented out of the recommended sequence. Ten (10) capital improvements have been identified as listed in Appendix F. Funding and estimated costs are provided in Appendix K.

The legislation for the 1987 Park Bond does not allow funding for maintenance. Refer to Appendix L for maintenance information. Capital improvements at Lake Merced are not recommended without adequate maintenance provisions.

Additional funding may be available through private donations, grants or the Open Space Program. Future funding could be available through bonds or special assessments.

The Recreational Use Program Area Goals and Action Items are:

Goal 1 Maintain And Improve Diverse Recreational Opportunities (Including Athletic Sports) For Both Local And Regional Visitors To Lake Merced

Action REC-1.1 Maintain A Healthy Lake Merced Fishery And Fishing Opportunities
Action REC-1.2 Provide An Attractive And Safe Trail System For Joggers And Walkers
Action REC-1.3 Provide Appropriate And Safe Bicycle Routes
Action REC-1.4 Maintain And Develop Visitor Amenities, Which Should Be Compatible With Recreational Uses (Including Athletic Sporting Uses) And The Natural Character of the Area

Goal 2 Preserve, Protect, And Enhance Lake Merced’s Scenic Character

Action REC-2.1 Recognize The Value Of Unique Vistas At Lake Merced

Goal 3 Provide Adequate And Safe Vehicular Access And Circulation To The Recreational Features Of Lake Merced

Action REC-3.1 Provide Adequate And Attractive Parking Areas
Action REC-3.2 Establish Safe And Identify Clearly Automobile And Pedestrian Access Routes
Action REC-3.3 Encourage Use Of Public Transportation To And From Lake Merced

Goal 4 Ensure Continued Maintenance Of The Entire Lake Merced Area

Action REC-4.1 Provide Adequate Number Of Trained Staff For Maintenance
Action REC-4.2 Encourage Volunteer Efforts To Assist The SFRPD In Cleaning-Up Litter And In Other Park Maintenance Tasks
Action REC-4.3 Seek Supplemental Funding For Expanded Maintenance

Goal 5 Educate The Public Regarding Park Regulations

Action REC-5.1 Provide Public Education Regarding Park Regulations
 

Goal 1 Maintain and Improve Diverse Recreational Opportunities (Including Athletic Sports) for Both Local and Regional Visitors to Lake Merced

Action REC-1.1 Maintain A Healthy Lake Merced Fishery And Fishing Opportunities
Who: SFRPD, SFPUC, California Department of Fish & Game
Why: To continue viable fishing opportunities at Lake Merced as outlined in the San Francisco Park Code
What: (A) Develop the most appropriate fish stocking program.
(B) Improve water quality for fish habitat.
(C) Renovate/rebuild existing piers (12 total).
When: (A) On going
(B) On going
(C) Priority 2 of 10 priority capital improvements.
Funding (A) N/A
(B) SFPUC
(C) SFRPD
Cost: (A) As of September 1997, fish stocking is funded through a concessionaire operating at the Harding Park Sports Complex. A percentage of sales for fishing permits are used toward fish stocking.
(B) Undetermined costs associated with a water quality study by the SFPUC.
(C) $375,000

Action REC-1.2 Provide An Attractive And Safe Trail System For Joggers And Walkers
Who: SFRPD, SFDPT, SFDPW
Why: To provide safe recreation facilities to visitors
What: (A) Develop a safe walking/jogging path on Harding Road between the North Lake footbridge and the boathouse restaurant.
(B) Maintain the perimeter pathway (e.g., remove broken glass, repair damage by tree roots, etc.) as a high maintenance priority.
(C) Consider appropriate lighting on the perimeter, multi-use pathway.
(D) Close the informal jogging/walking trail along the northern boundary of the golf course overlooking East Lake. However, an east-west route access route should be investigated.
When: (A) Priority 4 of 10 priority capital improvements (Priority 4/10)
(B) On going
(C) Not yet determined
(D) Priority 5/10
Funding: (A) SFRPD
(B) SFRPD
(C) SFRPD
(D) SFRPD
Cost: (A) $125,000
(B) Not applicable
(C) TBD
(D) $50,000

Action REC-1.3 Provide Appropriate And Safe Bicycle Routes
Who: SFRPD, SFDPT
Why: To provide safe recreation facilities to visitors
What: (A) Consult with the Department of Parking and Traffic to provide a transitional bicycle pathway from John Muir Drive onto the perimeter pathway. Also provide a Class III (shared roadway) bicycle route on John Muir Drive between Skyline and Lake Merced Blvd. (and elsewhere, if feasible) for experienced cyclists.
(B) Provide bicycle parking at automobile parking lots and major activity areas.
(C) Encourage bicyclists to stay on paved pathways due to erosion concerns
When: (A) Priority 7 of 10 priority capital improvements (Priority 7/10)
(B) Priority 1/10
(C) On going
Funding: (A) SFRPD/SFDPT
(B) SFRPD
(C) SFRPD
Cost: (A) $3,000
(B) $225,000 - $350,000 for implementation of Priority 1 program
(C) $500 for signs

Action REC-1.4 Maintain And Develop Visitor Amenities, Which Should Be Compatible With Recreational Uses (Including Athletic Sporting Uses) And The Natural Character Of The Area
Who: SFRPD, SFDPW, SFPUC, SF Planning Department
Why: To provide adequate recreation amenities for visitors within a natural setting. Visitor amenities should be compatible with the natural character of the area.
What: (A) Provide permanent restrooms at the east end of the viaduct. Provide permanent restrooms in the vicinity of, but not within, the Pacific Rod and Gun Club along John Muir Drive. Provide permanent restrooms at the Sunset Boulevard parking lot.
(B) Provide visitor information kiosks, which would include recreation map(s), site history and park-use regulations. These are to be located at parking and activity areas.
(C) Install visitor amenities including pay telephones, drinking fountains, benches and trash containers where they will serve the public and be more easily maintained.
(D) Encourage concessionaires through lease agreements to be responsible for restroom maintenance and litter pick-up through lease agreements beyond their demised premises.
(E) Provide disabled access to all visitor amenities.
(F) Work with the San Francisco Police Department, park users, concessionaires and community groups to control and reduce vandalism.
(G) Provide maintenance funding for repairs.
(H) Ensure that concessionaire activities are safe for public use.
(I) Provide evergreen landscape improvements along the Pacific Rod and Gun Club at John Muir Drive.
(J) Provide bicycle parking (average 3 racks per location) in convenient locations.
When: (A) Priority 1 of 10 priority capital improvements (Priority 1/10)
(B) Priority 1/10
(C) Priority 1/10
(D) Considered for new leases and lease renewals
(E) On going
(F) On going
(G) On going
(H) On going
(I) Priority 3/10
(J) Priority 8/10
Funding: (A) SFRPD
(B) SFRPD
(C) SFRPD
(D) N/A
(E) SFRPD
(F) N/A
(G) SFRPD
(H) N/A
(I) SFRPD/possibly PRGC
(J) SFRPD
Cost: (A), (B) and (C) $225,000 - $350,000 for implementation of Priority 1 program.
(D) Not applicable
(E) Incorporated in all capital improvements
(F) Not applicable
(G) $42,000 per maintenance personnel
(H) Not applicable
(I) $5,000 - $10,000 for irrigation improvements
(J) $15,000 per site

Goal 2 Preserve, Protect, and Enhance Lake Merced’ s Scenic Character

Action REC-2.1 Recognize The Value of Unique Vistas At Lake Merced
Who: SFRPD
Why: To maintain Lake Merced as a significant, regional and natural resource
What: Inventory unique views (preliminary study has been done by the Department of Public Works) and provide recommendations for maintenance and/or improvements.
When: Not yet determined
Funding: SFRPD
Cost: None anticipated

Goal 3 Provide Adequate And Safe Vehicular Access And Circulation To The Recreational Features of Lake Merced

.Action REC-3.1 Provide Adequate And Attractive Parking Areas
Who: SFRPD, SFDPW, SFDPT
Why: To provide adequate visitor accommodations without expense to the visitor experience
What: (A) Upgrade the Brotherhood Way parking lot and landscape.
(B) At the Bufano statue parking lot, address the drop-off alongside the pathway and upgrade landscaping around the picnic area.
(C) Consolidate pathways at the eastside of the viaduct to protect the native plants.
When: (A) Priority 1 of 10 priority capital improvements (Priority1/10)
(B) Priority 1/10
(C) Priority 9/10
Funding: (A) SFRPD
(B) SFRPD
(C) SFRPD
Cost: (A) $225,000 to $350,000 total
(B) $225,000 to $350,000 total
(C) $50,000

Action REC-3.2 Establish Safe And Identify Clearly Automobile And Pedestrian Access Routes
Who: SFRPD, SFDPT, SFDPW, CalTrans
Why: To provide safe and adequate visitor facilities
What: (A) Install appropriate signage to restrict vehicular speeds along Harding Park Road.
(B) Provide appropriate lighting in designated parking areas.
(C) Provide better access from the north side of Lake Merced.
(D) Improve pedestrian safety at the Harding Road/Skyline Boulevard intersection.
When: (A) In progress
(B) Priority 1 of 10 priority capital improvements (Priority1/10)
(C) Priority 6/10
(D) Priority 10/10
Funding: (A) SFRPD/SFDPT
(B) SFRPD
(C) SFRPD/SFDPT
(D) SFRPD/CalTrans/SFDPT
Cost: (A) Provided through the DPT
(B) $250,000 to $350,000 total
(C) To be determined by program in consultation with the DPT
(D) To be determined by program in consultation with CalTrans and the DPT

Action REC-3.3 Encourage Use Of Public Transportation To And From Lake Merced
Who: SFRPD, MUNI, SFDPT
Why: To enhance the visitor experience by reducing automobile traffic around and at Lake Merced; and to reduce any potential physical impact upon the natural setting
What: (A) Include transit information on park maps
(B) Encourage event promoters to include transit information in advertising
When: (A) On going
(B) On going
Funding: (A) N/A
(B) N/A
Cost: (A) None anticipated
(B) None anticipated

Goal 4 Ensure Continued Maintenance of the Entire Lake Merced Area

Action REC-4.1 Provide Adequate Number Of Trained Staff For Maintenance
Who: SFRPD
Why: To maintain the usability of recreation facilities, to minimize the visitor impact upon the natural setting and to enhance the visitor experience
What: (A) Determine the number of regular maintenance personnel (gardeners and custodians) and equipment needs for Lake Merced.
(B) Utilize the Sheriff's Work Alternative Program and the San Francisco Conservation Corps to augment City staff to assist in maintenance for specific events and problems, not for day-to-day maintenance.
(C) Train staff in marsh management with emphasis on integrated pest management (IPM) techniques.
(D) Train staff to conduct periodic rodent surveys. Non-toxic measures, including live trapping, should be used to reduce pests where appropriate.
(E) Train staff to manage the feral cat population to reduce predation on ground nesting birds.
(F) Recognize that the fishing beach areas are lake bottom areas exposed by low water levels as an interim condition until water level rises. Provide access for maintenance.
When: (A) On going
(B) On going
(C) On going
(D) To be considered in the development of the Significant Natural Resource Area Management Plan, anticipated to begin in 1998
(E) On going
Funding: (A) N/A
(B) N/A
(C) SFRPD
(D) SFRPD
(E) SFRPD
Cost: (A) $42,000 per maintenance personnel
(B) Not applicable
(C) None anticipated
(D) Determined by program
(E) None anticipated

Action REC-4.2 Encourage Volunteer Efforts To Assist The SFRPD In Cleaning-Up Litter And In Other Park Maintenance Tasks
Who: SFRPD
Why: To encourage public responsibility and to supplement the City’s maintenance staff. Coordinate with NRE Goal 1.
What: Continue to coordinate volunteer activities with Lake Merced support groups and other interested organizations and persons.
When: On going
Funding: N/A
Cost: Not applicable

Action REC-4.3 Seek Supplemental Funding For Expanded Maintenance
Who: SFRPD
Why: To continue adequate maintenance of recreation facilities
What: Encourage a site adoption program for maintenance.
When: Not yet determined
Funding: N/A
Cost: None anticipated

Goal 5 Educate The Public Regarding Park Regulations

Action REC-5.1 Provide Public Education Regarding Park Regulations
Who: SFRPD, SFPUC, SFDPH, SF Planning Department
Why: To minimize the visitor impact upon the natural environment and to optimize the experience for all visitors
What: (A) Provide adequate signs regarding park regulations and explanations
(B) Post signs on trash receptacles informing lake visitors to properly dispose of fishing lines and other plastics which might ensnare birds and other wildlife.
(C) Work with local agencies to enforce regulations
When: (A) On going
(B) Not yet determined
(C) On-going
Funding: (A) SFRPD
(B) SFRPD
(C) N/A
Cost: (A) $50 - $100 per sign
(B) $50 - $100 per sign
(C) None anticipated
 

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