Lake Merced Update
September 2003

To: Friends and Supporters of Lake Merced
 
There is a lot going on at Lake Merced.  The new fishing pier at South Lake is nearly complete, and the parking lot nearby is as well.  Now that the fisherman has a good place to stand maybe we could get some fish.
 
We do have some water.  At month end the lake level was 19.75' (or 20.75' depending on who's counting), up from a summer low of 18.17' in mid-July and the highest the lake has been since May 1999.  This results from the addition of a substantial amount of Hetch Hetchy water during the last week of July and much of August.  The pumping has stopped now with the exception of small amounts of water needed to maintain the lake level until the rainy season begins.
 
The extra water caught Rec & Park by surprise.  The shore end of the rower's pier was soon under water, and the pier was closed for a few days.  A number of us made calls and sent e-mails to Elizabeth Goldstein and Tony Hall, and as a result the pier was quickly repaired.  Thanks to Rec & Park for the quick response.
 
Good news on another front!  After three years of campaigning CalTrans has agreed to install a pedestrian-operated stop light at the crosswalk near the Recreation Center for the Handicapped and the San Francisco Zoo.  This will enable safe access to and from the bus stop for patrons of RCH, and safe access to the lake for student groups, and others, visiting the Zoo.  The project has been approved, and the budget allocated.  However, the calendar has not yet been set, so we don't know when this safety light will be installed.  A call or e-mail to Assemblyman Leland Yee asking for his help (415-557-2312 or [email protected]) might help light a fire under this project.
 
The environmental consulting firm EDAW has published their Task 3 Technical Memorandum.  You will find a copy on the web site.  Deadline for public comment is Monday, September 8, so you still have a couple of days; send comments to [email protected]  Comments have been submitted by The Committee to Save Lake Merced, Friends of Lake Merced and David Dawdy, consulting hydrogeologist.  You will find copies of those comments on the web site as well.
 
It should not go without mention that the renovated Harding Park golf course opened a few days ago.  Reports are that it plays as good as it looks. (Well?)
 
And last, but as they say not least, the Neighborhood Parks Council (FoLM is a member) is holding their annual gala Thursday, October 9 from 6 to 9 PM.  This year it is at South Park.  For more information, group rates, etc. visit the NPC web site at http://www.sfneighborhoodparks.org/events/gala03.html.  Hope you can make it.
 
That's all folks!
 
John