Recreation & Fun

Forestry companies reach environmental deal

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 May 2010 08:45:00 +0000

TORONTO --

Canada's major pulp and paper companies said Tuesday they will restrict logging in environmentally sensitive areas of the country's northern boreal forest as part of a groundbreaking deal with environmental groups.

The Forest Products Association of Canada, whose members include forestry giants such as AbitibiBowater Inc. and Weyerhaeuser Co. Ltd., said the industry has agreed to immediately suspend logging for three years on 75 million acres of boreal forest - roughly the size of Montana - where wildlife and habitat is endangered.

"We have identified a more intelligent, productive way to manage economic and environmental challenges in the boreal," said Avrim Lazar, president and CEO of the association. "(It's a) process that will set a forestry standard that will be the envy of the world."

Canada's boreal forest stretches like a giant green belt southeast from the Yukon to Newfoundland and represents about 75 percent the country's woodlands. The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement covers 170 million acres of the region - an area nearly twice the size of Germany - and includes forests in seven of the country's 10 provinces.

"The ecological significance of this (agreement) is very important," said Duke University conservation ecology professor Stuart Pimm in North Carolina. "Looking at the huge amount of carbon (dioxide) that would one way or another be put into the atmosphere if these forests were cut down. Internationally, the global environmental community is going to applaud Canada on becoming a major player for contributing to carbon capturing."

The forest, consisting mostly of coniferous trees such as spruce, fir, pine, and wetlands, is home to two-thirds of the country's estimated 140,000 species of plants, animals and micro-organisms. The area is also a prime caribou habitat, and its preservation has been a major objective of environmentalists.

The corporate signatories, 21 members of the forestry organization, agreed to suspend logging in the region for three years so a plan can be developed to preserve the 36,000 woodland caribou that live in the region.

In exchange, environmental organizations have pledged to suspend international "Do Not Buy" anti-logging campaigns against Canadian lumber.

"This is our best chance to save woodland caribou, permanently protect vast areas of the boreal forest and put in place sustainable forestry practices," said Richard Brooks, Greenpeace forest campaign coordinator and a spokesman for the nine participating environmental groups including Greenpeace, the Pew Environmental Group, ForestEthics and the Ivey Foundation.

Steve Kallick, director of the Pew Environment Group's International Boreal Conservative Campaign, said Canada's boreal forest rivals the Amazon in size and ecological importance, capturing and absorbing twice as much carbon dioxide as tropical forests, which helps fight global warming.

Kallick said the agreement took two years of negotiations between the two parties that have been at loggerheads over the issue for years. Pew, which brokered the deal, said it was the largest commercial forest conservation agreement ever concluded.

"The political nature of this, of getting these two groups together, is remarkable," said Duke University's Pimm. "It's hugely encouraging that the logging companies are sacrificing such a huge area of logging. Brazil was recently able to cut its deforestation rate significantly, but I do not know of another similar agreement such as the one announced today."

The truce comes at a propitious time for Canada's forestry sector, which was particularly hard-hit by the housing collapse in its biggest market, the United States.

Don Roberts, vice chairman of renewable energy and clean technology at CIBC World Markets, said the agreement will distinguish Canadian companies at a time when forestry companies are having difficulty moving products.

"This is a classic example of how a crisis is a terrible thing to waste ... it's forced us to say, 'Well, now how do we rethink things'?"

The agreement will help the industry to rebuild by enabling forestry companies to market themselves as modern, self-sustainable and environmentally friendly.

"This is a business strategy for us," said Forest Products Association's Lazar. "We're doing it not just because we love the forest, but because this is where industry is heading."

The union representing Canada's forest sector issued a statement Tuesday saying that positive market impacts from the agreement could help struggling Canadian forest companies in global markets.

"This agreement is a light of hope for a battered industry," said Dave Coles, president of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. "It is time now to make environmental leadership a value-added advantage for Canadian forest products."

Scientists discover frog with inflatable nose

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 May 2010 08:43:00 +0000

Scientists have discovered a new species which they have called the "Pinocchio" frog because of its long nose which grows when the animal calls to others.

An international team of researchers was camping in the Foja mountains of Indonesia when one of them, Paul Oliver, spotted a frog sitting on a bag of rice in the campsite.

On closer inspection it turned out to be a previously unknown type of long-nosed frog. When the frog is calling, its nose points upward, but it deflates when the animal is less active.

"We were sitting around eating lunch," recalled ornithologist Chris Milensky. Oliver "looked down and there's this little frog on a rice sack, and he managed to grab the thing."

"Herpetologists [experts in snakes, lizards and frogs] have good reflexes," Mr Milensky observed.

The researchers also report finding the smallest kangaroo, a big woolly rat, and a bent-toed gecko with yellow eyes.

The Foja Mountains are in the western side of the island of New Guinea, a part of Indonesia that has been little visited by scientists over the years.

So the environmental group Conservation International, with the support of the National Geographic Society and Smithsonian Institution, began investigating the area. The results of their 2008 expedition were announced on Monday.

Mr Milensky said the expedition was incredibly difficult.

Kristofer Helgen, curator of mammals at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, said one of the most amazing animals the researchers observed was the rare golden-mantled tree kangaroo.

Most people think of kangaroos as creatures that live on the flatlands of Australia, he said, but this one has adapted to forest life.

"It can jump into a tree and scurry right up it," Mr Helgen said. "But on the ground it hops around like any kangaroo."

Top 10 Sarasota Area Recreational Parks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 09 May 2010 11:20:00 +0000

Filled with an assortment of recreational facilities to make sure a healthy, active lifestyle, the parks throughout Sarasota County serve as the ideal destinations for biking, hiking, canoeing, picnicking, camping and a lot more. So, plan an afternoon to enjoy our perfect fall weather at a single of these Top 10 Sarasota region parks:

1. Myakka River State Recreational park - Florida’s largest state park provides a step back in time when Florida was a pristine wilderness. With 45 square miles of native landscape, lakes, the Myakka River and a lot more, this park provides picnic areas, camping, cabins, boat ramps, tram tours, fishing, bird watching, hiking, and miles of trails to explore by bike or foot. Also, the park’s marshlands and forest are among the best places around to observe Florida wildlife. The recreational park is situated 9 miles E of I-75 at 13208 State Road 72.

2. Osrecreational Scherer State recreational park - A big acreage with fifteen sprawling miles of trails via beautiful organic areas offers opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and wildlife viewing. Canoeists and kayakers can paddle along South Creek, with canoe and kayak rentals obtainable. For bicycle enthusiasts, the park offers a number of trails totaling approximately 15 miles, and freshwater and saltwater fishing are obtainable along the creek. Picnic areas along South Creek are equipped with grills, and pavilions could be reserved for a small fee. The park has full-facility campsites and a youth/group campground. The park is situated on U.S. 41, just two miles south of Osprey.

3. Sarasota Bay Front Recreational park - Located in the base of downtown Sarasota, this scenic island park filled with stunning water views in each direction. Bay Front Recreational park is situated on an island peninsula right about the waters of Sarasota Bay. Sidewalks wind all close to the region, making this an excellent spot for long walks, rollerblading, and bike rides. Children will love the water fountains to splash in and also the large playground zone.

4. Gillespie Park - Located among historic homes, Gillespie Recreational park offers a quiet, natural respite just a breath away in the action of downtown. The recreational park offers 10 acres of picnicking region with children’s playground plus a shaded gazebo. Dogs on a leash are welcome.

5. Woodmere Community Park and Recreation Center - With tennis courts, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, a character trail, children’s playgrounds, and an adjacent paw park for dogs of all sizes, Woodmere Community Park in Venice offers an abundance of actions for that whole family. Located at 3951 Woodmere Park Boulevard at Jarecreationalanda, Venice.

6. Twin Lakes Park - These were the grounds from the Royals, Mets, Twins, Indians, Reds, Dodgers and Orioles training. Now, Twin Lakes Park offers a number of recreational activities such as five major and 4 small league baseball fields, a basketball court, canoeing, fishing, a football field, a couple of outdoor handball/racquetball courts, indoor rental, a jogging trail, a multi-purpose field, a passive recreation area, an ADA playground, a big picnic shelter, five small picnic shelters, 4 soccer fields, 2 tennis courts and an ADA picnic area. Plenty for that athlete to keep busy! Situated at 6700 Clark Road in Sarasota.

7. Fruitville Recreational park - Located at 5151 Richardson Road in Sarasota Florida, the 20-acre Fruitville Park provides a fitness/jogging trail, football/soccer fields, plenty of picnicking area, tennis, volleyball and grilling facilities. Appreciate your day surrounded by lush landscaping.

8. Phillippi Estate Park - Located on the shores of Phillippi Creek, Phillippi Estate Park is really a scenic, 60-acre natural area recreational park south of downtown Sarasota and east of Siesta Crucial. The beauty from the park and facilities could be enjoyed by residents and visitors seven days a week, such as a rose garden, gazebo, children’s playground, canoe/kayak launch, nature trails, fishing piers and a lot more.

9. Lemon Bay Recreational park - Visit the butterfly garden, picnic sites and character trails at this recreational park situated on Lemon Bay, north of Dearborn Street in Olde Englewood. Nature walk adventures are obtainable January-April. Lemon Bay Park has a lot more than 200 acre of pine and scrubby Flatwoods along the natural bay shoreline, a scenic bay boardwalk, canoe launch and a large picnic pavilion.

10. South Lido Park - Set in the north end of Taft and South Blvd of Presidents on Lido Crucial, Lido Crucial Park is a great place to get away in the rush of downtown without going too far. Adjacent to the beach, the park features 2 walking nature trails and a canoeing character trail, plus volleyball courts and swimming. This is a large park that wraps around in the Gulf to Sarasota Bay offering good comfort facilities, picnic pavilions, and BBQ grills correct under the tall Australian Pines.

2010 Ibis Mojo Mountain Bike Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:40:00 +0000

Ibis Mojo Review

Upon arrival, the Mojo had a set of Crank Brothers Iodine wheels, a 2010 Fox 2010 32 TALAS fork and a complete SRAM X.9 group waiting in the garage to complete the build–solid parts to adorn this carbon beauty. I ended up with the clear black color frame (after waiting a few weeks for the Guiness Foam), which in the end looks to be the best choice in combination with the burnt orange wheels… it’s a looker both on and off the trails.

The complete build was performed by the crew at Timpanogos Cyclery in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Not only did they do a great job, but they turned it around in an afternoon in rockstar fashion. The mechanics were stoked to build up the Mojo and had the final weight waiting for me upon arrival… 26.5 lbs.! I knew it would be light, but not that light! I’m confident if I carbon this thing out, it would easily drop below 26 lbs.

My Mojo Custom Build

2010 Ibis Mojo (Size: Large – Color: Clear – Lopes Link)
Rear Shock: 2010 Fox RP23 w/Boostvalve
Front Shock: 2010 Fox 32 TALAS 150 RLC
Wheelset: Crank Brothers Iodine
Drivetrain/Shifting: SRAM X.9
Cranks: Shimano SLX
Brakes: Avid Elixir R (180 front / 160 rear)
Tires: WTB Wolverine 2.2 F/R
Stem: Syncros AM (60mm / 12deg)
Seatpost: Ibis
Bars: Ibis low riser
Headset: Cane Creek IS3
Saddle: WTB Rocket-V
Pedals: Crank Brothers Candy SL

On the Dirt

Once built-up, I couldn’t believe just how absolutely sexy this bike was. After a photo session suitable for a fashion model, I was this close to keeping it hanging in the garage a few more days just to enjoy it, but alas… the trails beckoned.

After looking through the included Owner’s Manual (yup, I actually read parts of it) for suggested rear sag settings, I settled on 15mm sag for my weight (175 lbs.) and riding style (everything, everywhere, all the time). That put me at 140 psi., which has turned out to be perfect for both XC and AM riding. The front fork took a little more fiddling to find the right air pressure, but in the end I’ve settled on 80 psi. For the first few rides, you may want to be sure and take a shock pump along as you fine-tune the suspension to your liking.

Above all, I keep coming back to the light weight of this bike as built. My goal was not to build the lightest bike, but this is by far the lightest all-mountain bike I’ve owned and it is absolutely amazing how much of a difference dropping a couple of pounds can make.

OK… once I got past the ooo’s and aahhh’s of the bike and its light weight, I was bent on finding its weak spots on the trail. I’ve now ridden the Mojo on a variety of nearby trails–from high-energy XC burn-fests to thousand-foot climbs and on down fast and technical descents. Nothing fazes this thing.

In all conditions, the DW-Link suspension provides super-efficient pedaling performance. Climbing traction is awesome in all conditions with the only weakness shown in the tire traction at times on steep, rocky pitches. The entire rear-end stays steady and smooth under occasional hard pedaling and digs in for fast power transfer throughout all types of steady climbs. The occasional standing climb does blow through the travel a bit more, but traction is maintained.

When pointing this bike downhill, the suspension really shines. I love how well it soaks up obstacles and adapts to varied terrain. Rock drops and jumps are no match for this bike as it launches with ease and lands with bottomless comfort. The suspension ramps up well with consistently smooth resistance–making the 5.5″ of travel feel like more. I’m sure the new 2010 Fox RP23 with Boost Valve that I’ve been riding improves the downhill performance over the 2009 model, but I didn’t have a 2009 model shock on this particular bike for a direct comparison. All I can tell you is the new 2010 RP23 is perfect on this bike.

Like all full-suspension bikes (except full-bore DH rigs), there are some small bump compliance issues where you can feel the rear end bouncing on rutted or rocky downhills, but it’s acceptable and forgetful considering how well this bike performs otherwise.

I’ve found the 2010 Fox 32 TALAS 150 with 15QR to be the perfect fork for this bike. Without question, the adjustability of the TALAS system makes this bike even more versatile, but if you’re running short on cash and have to settle for a 140mm or 150mm fork without travel adjustment, you won’t be sacrificing much. At full 150mm travel mode, this bike climbs with minimal wander and descends with confidence. Dropping it to 130mm slightly reduces front-end wander and makes for a little speedier handling (excellent for XC-style romps).

Some may question the durability of carbon fiber, but throughout my tests, this bike has felt absolutely solid with no perceptible flex or weakness. Like any bike frame, a hard crash may require inspection by a mechanic, but carbon frames can in most cases be repaired easier than aluminum or steel tubes.

I opted to mount the Crank Brothers Iodine wheels on my Mojo and they have been the perfect wheelset for this bike. I suppose if you wanted to save 363 grams, you could go with the Cobalt’s, but the lateral stiffness, quick engagement and worry-free performance has been a perfect match for the Mojo. Leaning hard into the corners, the Mojo just carves with ease and the wheelset provides just the right stiffness to maintain a consistent trail feel. The Mojo SLX is now shipping with Ibis wheels, which look solid and offer 9mm, 15mm and 20mm axle compatibility out of the box.

I’ve had more fun on the Mojo than on any other bike I can recall to date. It’s versatility is really unmatched (adding an adjustable-travel fork adds to that) and its overall efficiency just screams to be ridden and ridden hard. I love pounding out XC terrain and flying through twisty singletrack one day and then pushing the limits of my lungs and the Mojo on high-altitude climbs the next day. It is a consistent and comfortable performer when gravity takes over and always seems to glide through all types of sketchy terrain.

Good Mojo

The most confidence-inspiring bike I’ve owned in a long time
Amazingly-light and fast up and down
Super stiff frame feels solid
Very flickable
Drop-dead sexy looks
Smoothest-climbing bike with 5.5″ travel
Climbs straight with 150mm fork–even without reducing travel
Built-in seatpost QR is smooth to use
No weight limit on the frame
2-year warranty
Absorbs drops and soaks up rough terrain
Hauls tail equally well in XC or rugged AM terrain

Bad Mojo

Difficulty in getting certain frame colors
Location of single water bottle mount is a waste
I have heard complaints about clearcoat chippage, but nothing so far with mine
Some people just won’t believe carbon fiber can be this capable (their loss)

The Bottom Line: 2010 Ibis Mojo

It’s hard not to gush over this bike. Superlatives like “best ever” and “bike of the year” are said with care because the overall feel of a bike depends on riding style and terrain, but I will step out on a limb and call the 2010 Ibis Mojo the most fun, most versatile and most capable mountain bike I’ve ever owned or ridden. The custom build I’ve got isn’t cheap, but you can get a similarly-performing bike for $3000 with the Mojo SLX kit and upgrade as needed. I can say with confidence that you could not make a better choice for true all-mountain performance.

Mountain Biking 2010 Wall Calendar

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:13:00 +0000

Auto touring has long been a favorite way to enjoy the park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses over 800 square miles and is one of the most pristine natural areas in the East. An auto tour of the park offers a variety of experiences, including panoramic views, tumbling mountain streams, weathered historic buildings, and mature hardwood forests stretching to the horizon.

There are 384 miles of road to choose from in the Smokies. Most are paved, and even the gravel roads are maintained in suitable condition for standard passenger cars. Travel speeds on most of the park’s paved roads average 30 miles per hour.

Inexpensive booklets are available to serve as your personal tour guides along many park roads. These booklets are keyed to numbered posts or landmarks and include information on park history, wildlife, and plants. Booklets are available for the following roads:

Cades Cove Loop Road
Cataloochee Valley
Newfound Gap Road
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Upper Tremont Road

In addition, the book Smokies Road Guide covers main thoroughfares and scenic backroads in the park. This book and the self-guiding auto tour booklets listed above are available at park visitor centers and online. Self-guiding tour booklets are also available from dispensers at the start of the roads they cover.

Newfound Gap Road

In southern Appalachian vernacular, a “gap” is a low point along a ridge or mountain range. The old road over the Smoky Mountains crossed at Indian Gap, located about 1.5 miles west of the current site. When the lower, easier crossing was discovered, it became known as the “newfound” gap.

A trip over the Newfound Gap Road has often been compared to a drive from Georgia to Maine in terms of the variety of forest ecosystems one experiences. Starting from either Cherokee, North Carolina or Gatlinburg, Tennessee, travelers climb approximately 3,000 feet, ascending through cove hardwood, pine-oak, and northern hardwood forest to attain the evergreen spruce-fir forest at Newfound Gap (5,046').

Temperatures at the gap may be 10° F. or more cooler than in the lowlands and precipitation falling as rain in Gatlinburg may be snow at Newfound Gap. From the parking area at Newfound Gap you can straddle the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee or take a stroll on the Appalachian Trail, a 2,200 mile footpath running from Georgia to Maine.

Just south of Newfound Gap, the seven-mile Clingmans Dome Road climbs to within 0.5 mile of Clingmans Dome (6,643'), the highest peak in the Smokies (and third highest in the East). From the large parking area at the end of the road, a 0.5-mile trail climbs steeply to an observation tower at the “top of old Smoky.” Clingmans Dome Road is closed in winter (December 1 - March 31).

The Great Smoky Mountains Association, the park's non-profit partner, offers several podcasts from the Smokies, including the Newfound Gap Auto Tour. Visit their website for download instructions.

Cades Cove

Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains. An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. Allow at least two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you walk some of the area’s trails. The loop road is closed from sunset to sunrise.

For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove but archeologists have found no evidence of major settlements. The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821. By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271. Cades Cove offers the widest variety of historic buildings of any area in the national park. Scattered along the loop road are three churches, a working grist mill, barns, log houses, and many other faithfully restored eighteenth and nineteenth century structures. An inexpensive self-guiding tour booklet available at the entrance to the road provides in-depth information about the buildings and the people who built and used them.

Cades Cove also offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, Wild Turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings from May through September, Cades Cove Loop Road is open only to bicyclists, walkers, and concession-operated hay wagons. Automobiles are prohibited on the loop road on these mornings until 10:00 a.m.

Roaring Fork
The Roaring Fork area is a favorite side trip for many people who frequently visit the Smokies. It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and a number of well-preserved log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings. To access Roaring Fork, turn off the main parkway in Gatlinburg, TN., at traffic light #8 and follow Historic Nature Trail to the Cherokee Orchard entrance to the national park.

The Noah “Bud” Ogle self-guiding nature trail provides a walking tour of an authentic mountain farmstead and surrounding hardwood forest. Highlights include a streamside tubmill and the Ogle’s handcrafted wooden flume plumbing system.

Just beyond the Rainbow Falls trailhead you have the option of taking the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This narrow, but paved, road twists and turns for six miles beside rich forests, waterfalls, and mountain streams. Buses, trailers, and motor homes are not permitted on the motor nature trail. An inexpensive booklet available at the beginning of the motor nature trail details landmarks along the route.

“Roaring Fork” is the name of the stream which the road roughly parallels. It is one of the larger and faster flowing mountain streams in the park. Drive this road after a hard rain and the inspiration behind the name will be apparent.

Several homes and other buildings have been preserved in this area. And a “wet weather” waterfall called Place of a Thousand Drips provides a splendid finale to your journey.

Balsam Mountain and Heintooga Ridge During the heat of summer or the “madding crowds” of October, the Heintooga Ridge/Balsam Mountain area is an excellent high elevation escape. Frequent overlooks offer sweeping mountain vistas and roadsides provide some of the best displays of summer wildflowers in the Smokies.

To reach the Heintooga Ridge/Balsam Mountain area you must leave Great Smoky Mountains National Park briefly and drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. The parkway begins midway between Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Cherokee, NC Exit the parkway near milepost 458 at the turnoff to Balsam Mountain Campground. You will follow the mile-high Heintooga Ridge Road for eight miles to Balsam Mountain Campground (5,310').

Near the campground entrance, a short self-guiding nature trail provides a good orientation to the area’s northern hardwood and spruce-fir forest. Heintooga Picnic Area and Overlook are one mile beyond the campground. Restrooms are also available here. The overlook offers views of the vast wilderness where some Cherokee Indians retreated to avoid removal on the tragic Trail of Tears. From the picnic area you can either turn around and return the way you came or continue down the one-way, gravel Balsam Mountain Road. Driving time to Cherokee is about one hour via the Balsam Mountain Road which is maintained in condition suitable for passenger cars (motor homes and vehicles pulling trailers are prohibited).

Cataloochee
Some 1,200 people lived in this lovely mountain valley in 1910, making it one of the largest communities in the Smokies. Agriculture, including commercial apple growing, was the primary occupation. Some families also boarded fishermen and other tourists.

A variety of historic buildings have been preserved in the valley, including two churches, a school, and several homes and outbuildings. This is the best place in the park to see historic frame buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Access requires driving two miles on a narrow gravel road, but it is well-maintained and passable for standard passenger vehicles. To get there from I-40, exit at North Carolina exit #20. After 0.2 mile, turn right and follow the signs 11 miles into Cataloochee Valley. To get there from Oconaluftee or Cherokee, take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Highway 19. Follow 19 (toward Asheville) through Maggie Valley. Turn left onto Highway 276 N. Just before the entrance ramp to I-40 (but past gas station), turn left and follow the signs 11 more miles to Cataloochee.

Visitors to Cataloochee also enjoy viewing deer, elk, turkey, and other wildlife. Wildlife watching can be especially fruitful during mornings and evenings in the valley’s open fields.

The Boogerman Trail, a seven-mile loop that takes in groves of old-growth forest, is popular with hikers. Cataloochee Creek and its tributaries are noted for their populations of wild trout. Information and exhibits are available seasonally at the Palmer House and a self-guiding tour booklet may be purchased from a dispenser near the entrance to the valley.

Beating the Crowds
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited national park. Times when visitation is highest are July 1-August 15 and October (especially October weekends). During these times, traffic may become congested, especially on the Newfound Gap and Cades Cove Loop roads. Fortunately, lesser-used roads and off-the-beaten path destinations are scattered throughout the park. Anytime you want to escape the crowds, try one of these alternatives:

Foothills Parkway East or West
Blue Ridge Parkway
Balsam Mountain and Heintooga Ridge roads
Rich Mountain Road*
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

*motorists must travel part of the busy Cades Cove Loop Road to access this one-way backroad (closed in winter).

In summer, motorists can also avoid the crowds by traveling before 10:00 a.m. in the morning or after 5:00 p.m. in the evening. During October, traffic is heaviest during the afternoons and evenings.

Recommended Reading

Exploring the Smokies

This award-winning, complete guide to enjoying the Smokies has a handy “map-sized” format that fits easily into the glove-box of your car. Describes all major destinations, including Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Clingmans Dome, and more. Tells where and how to pursue your favorite vacation activities: camping, fishing, photography, horseback riding, waterfall watching, and hiking. Includes a color pull-out map of destinations in the park.

Smokies Road Guide
Let this colorful book serve as your personal tour guide along the park’s main thoroughfares and scenic backroads. Keyed to numbered posts along the way, this guide fills you in on park history, wildflowers, wildlife, waterfalls, day hikes, and more. Handy size fits conveniently in your glove box. 154 pages with fold-out park map and lots of color photos.

Operated by the nonprofit Great Smoky Mountains Association, proceeds generated by purchases at the store are donated to educational, scientific, and historical projects in the park.

Little River Lake Cabin - Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge - AK (FWS)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:06:00 +0000

Little River Lake Cabin - Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge - AK (FWS)
Kodiak Refuge is an ideal destination for wildlife viewing, hunting, hiking, kayaking, fishing, camping, and other types of outdoor adventures. Getting to the refuge is not as simple as jumping into a car or strapping on a pair of hiking boots. The refuge covers 1.9 million acres on Kodiak, Uganik, Ban, and Afognak islands, areas only accessible by floatplane or boat. The refuge currently maintains seven public use cabins, each available on a reservation basis.

Other Featured Locations

Whitney Portal - Inyo National Forest - CA (FS)	Tall Chief Cove - Skiatook Lake - OK (COE)

Youth Summer Day Camp Offerings Expanded

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:09:00 +0000

Spring registration is underway and I want to encourage all of you to keep signing up for recreation programs at our parks and playgrounds. Our programs are some of the best deals in the city and we have programs and classes for everyone in the family--- after school programs for the kids, yoga for mom and basketball for dad.

Also, it’s never too early to start thinking about summer. Summer day camp registration begins on March 20, so take this opportunity to review our available camps online at http://www.sfreconline.org/, sign up for a family account and get ready to register.

This summer, with the absence of public summer school in the city, the Recreation and Park Department is committed to filling the void by increasing our summer camp offerings by 38 percent. We are offering 64 total camps, 542 total weeks of programming and more than 16,000 slots. Our Learn to Swim lessons will increase by an amazing 400 percent.

Take the Plunge at the New Hamilton Rec

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:56:00 +0000

Today was a great day, not just for me, but for everyone who’s been waiting for the grand reopening of Hamilton Recreation Center and Swimming Pool in the city’s Western Addition neighborhood.

Hamilton is easily one of our most popular and most important recreation spaces, as it sits at junction of a number of communities, including the Western Addition, Japantown and the Fillmore, that rely on the area’s one and only full-service recreation center.

The center’s grand reopening, after a spectacular $18 million bond project, brought together a mix of folks who were eager to see the new center’s features, which include brand new multi-use community rooms, a new gymnasium and offices. The adjacent pool, which created most of the buzz leading up to the event, features not one, but two, indoor water slides.

District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi was on hand to help cut the ceremonial ribbon, as was 1996 Olympian Kenny Hamilton (triple jump) and London Breed, from the African American Art and Culture Complex.

But the day belonged to the members of the community, who were all eager to see the new Hamilton. Some were first-time visitors to the site. Others had a lifetime of memories from the old Hamilton. But all agreed that new Hamilton is truly amazing and its potential limitless in regard to the exciting new programming that can, and will, fill this space.

If you haven’t done so already, I invite all of you to Geary Boulevard and Steiner Street to check out the new Hamilton. And be sure to bring your swimming gear.

Budget Season 1

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:22:00 +0000

Friday, February 19th

The Thursday, February 18 commission meeting marked the culmination of several weeks of hard work and, frankly, indigestion, on the part of a budget team comprised of staff, labor and the community that was tasked with a tremendous, seemingly insurmountable challenge.
Due to an ongoing sagging economy and an overall bleak budget projection for the city, we were directed to close an unprecedented $12.4 million deficit for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2010-11 and submit a balanced proposal to the mayor by February 19.

To put that into proper perspective, our department receives a total of about $35 million dollars in General Fund support from the city each year. Cutting that by roughly 30 percent would have tremendous impacts on our operations and ultimately our services to the public, especially in light of the fact that we took an almost equally huge hit in last year’s budget, to the tune of $11.4 million.

After years of cuts to our budget, albeit nowhere near the cuts we’ve experienced in the last two years, our department operates on an already thin crew of laborers, gardeners, custodians and recreation professionals.

Still, everyone is feeling the pinch of this current economic climate, and as you’ll read in coming blog entries, we’re going to have to change the way we do business to survive.

Celebrating Buena Vista Park Improvements

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:09:00 +0000

Saturday January 23rd

On Saturday morning, about 60 neighborhood folks braved the wind, rain and, yes, even hail, to help celebrate the recent renovation of Buena Vista Park ’s southeastern slope.

The result of the project is stunning. Improvements include an ADA-accessible pathway, new stairs, landscaping, irrigation and new retaining walls. I meandered through the new pathway and enjoyed every step along the way. I highly recommend that you take a stroll up the mountain and visit Buena Vista Park , which happens to be, by the way, the city’s oldest official park.

Richard Magary of the Buena Vista Neighborhood Association helped organize the event, which included appearances by District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty, District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, city treasurer José Cisneros, Mike Farrah from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services and our esteemed Recreation and Park commissioners, Michael Sullivan and newly elected president, Mark Buell.

While Richard handled most of the acknowledgments and thank-you’s in an extremely thorough speech, I had the distinct honor of announcing that Rec and Park has secured $280,000 in grants for a second phase of work at Buena Vista that will begin later this year. Working with the San Francisco Conservation Corps, Rec and Park will utilize the funds to rehabilitate the southeast slope trail and to create a gathering area on the southeast lawn.

$115K --- California State Parks Land and Water Conservation Grant

$164K --- San Francisco Conservation Corps

The Start of the Budget Season

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:06:00 +0000

Tuesday January 19th

This morning, our Department held an all-staff, town hall-style meeting on our upcoming budget process for Fiscal Year 2010-11. Our employees are some of the most dedicated and creative workers in the city, and we’re going to need their talent and expertise in the next several months to help meet some very tough goals.

This budget cycle will be challenging, to say the least. The City is faced with a nearly half-billion dollar deficit for the upcoming year, and city departments, including ours, will feel the pinch. Rec and Park is faced with a reduction of $12.4 million in General Fund dollars, meaning that we’ll have to make some serious decisions in the coming weeks to balance our budget.

We’re asking our employees for their input on how we can save or generate income to meet our obligations. It won’t be easy, and the conversations we have will surely be difficult, but in the end, I know we’ll pull through. We have to.

In the next coming weeks, we’ll also be turning to the public for their input as we host four community meetings:

January 25 at Richmond Recreation Center, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

January 26 at Gene Friend Recreation Center, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

February 1 at Joseph Lee Recreation Center, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

February 3 at Sunset Recreation Center, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

RPD Honors MLK

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:21:00 +0000

January 15th 2010

Twenty-six years ago, Gertha Curtis was one of a handful of Recreation and Park Department employees who took it upon themselves to help organize an employee luncheon in honor one of the most influential and inspirational figures in our nation’s history, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Gertha, who recently retired, was on hand this past Friday, January 15, with about 150 current and former employees to help celebrate the event’s 26th successful year running.

It was my first MLK luncheon, but it definitely won’t be my last. I was truly amazed and inspired by all of the folks who stopped in, not just for a meal, but to break bread with friends and coworkers and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King.

The event was highlighted by guest speaker Jeff Adachi, our city’s public defender, as well as the musical stylings of gardener Raymond Coats. Particularly interesting was an oral history by retiree Fred Reed of some of the department’s early African-American employees, who struggled to advance because of the very discrimination Dr. King devoted his life to changing.

Over the weekend, our Department also participated in MLK-inspired events, including community volunteer events at 11 park sites. In 1994, then-president Bill Clinton signed the King Holiday and Service Act, which called people to action and volunteerism on the King holiday in honor of Dr. King’s legacy.

On Monday, our Department offered free recreational and lap swimming to the public at MLK pool in District 10.

Beloved Palace of Fine Arts Moves Into Final Phase of Renovation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:48:00 +0000

The Palace of Fine Arts remains one of the most picturesque and recognizable landmarks in the city. In the past several years and over several project phases, we’ve worked with the Maybeck Foundation to restore the Palace to its former glory.

Most recently, we completed Phase IIB of the project in April, which included structural upgrades and architectural restoration to the rotunda and colonnade, the most recognizable part of the Palace.

The final phase of the project, Phase IIC, is set to begin in January and includes improvements to the hardscape and landscaping at the Palace. This will include the addition of a fabulous Koret Garden area, a new south entrance, new pathways, paving at the Rotunda and its main axis, a donor recognition component, lagoon edge repair and stabilization, and lighting fixtures at top of colonnade and rotunda.

The final phase is a continuation of the public/private partnership between the City and the Maybeck Foundation. The City will be contributing an additional $1.6 million to the project plus in-kind donations of labor and planting materials in excess of $300,000. The Maybeck Foundation will be adding an additional $1.4 million to the project as well.

I’m looking forward to the completion of this project in fall of next year.

80th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:37:00 +0000

Monday, December 7

It was the morning of our 80th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting and all of Santa’s elves were busy making arrangements for the event, held every year at McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park.

Rockefeller Center in New York City has nothing on us. They’ve only been lighting their tree for 78 years.

If you’ve ever been to one of our tree lightings, you know that it’s one of the city’s most popular, wholesome, family-friendly events that you can attend all year. Every year, the bustling crowd filled with smiling children and happy families proves it.

It takes a concerted effort on many fronts to orchestrate an event like this. I, for one, get the boot from my own office so that event organizers can begin decorating, rearranging furniture and preparing my office and the entire front of the Lodge into a winter wonderland, complete with Santa’s House, a Cookie Factory and an Arts and Crafts booth.

The San Francisco Parks Trust pitches in every year by donating refreshments for the masses and photos with Santa for the children.

Our staff, led this year by Eric Andersen and Steve Cismowski, does an amazing job getting us ready, from the Tree Topper crew that hangs the lights on the 100-ft. Monterey cypress to the rec staff that coordinates and runs all the children’s activities. It’s quite a production.

Come event time, local residents and families begin converging on the Lodge, and the Golden Gate Park Brass Band and the Young People’s Teen Musical Theatre Company entertain the crowd.

This year, Mayor Newsom was on hand to lead the countdown to the lighting of the tree.

Thanks to everyone who played a part in organizing the event, and a hearty Happy Holidays to the rest of you!

Click here for a video of the festivities.

Sunny Days are Here Again; Open House at Midtown

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:20:00 +0000

Saturday, December 5

What do California Senator Mark Leno, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Mayor Gavin Newsom, District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty, District 7 Supervisor Sean Elsbernd and former California Secretary of State Kevin Shelley all have in common?

They are all either former or current members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and all were on hand on Saturday to help celebrate the grand reopening of Sunnyside Conservatory.

It was a proud day for the department as we hosted not one, but two, park openings—at Sunnyside and at Midtown Terrace Playground later in the day.

At Sunnyside, it was a who’s who affair, as neighbors (many of whom arrived in early-1900s-era garb), community leaders, department heads and elected officials came out in droves to celebrate the grand reopening of the 111-year-old conservatory.

The Conservatory, originally built in 1898 by then-owner William Augustus Merralls, an inventor and stargazer, is an octagon-shaped structure that, in its heyday, housed a wide collection of exotic plant and flower species. It was designated an official city landmark in 1975.

With Open Space funds, the Recreation and Park Department acquired the property in 1980 and a partial renovation project ensued in 1987. In 2001, together with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Friends of Sunnyside Conservatory, the Department began plans for the full-scale renovation of the site.

The recently completed project included the restoration of the building’s walls and finishes to match the other historic features of the Conservatory; new operable wood windows and skylights; new wood doors; new wood siding and trim; a new roof; copper cresting; and finial. The surrounding garden area and pathways were also upgraded.

The result is a stunning park space that will easily be one of the department’s most sought after venues for party and event rentals.

The renovation project was a collaborative effort between our department, our aforementioned elected officials and Sunnyside neighbors, led by the Friends of Sunnyside Conservatory.

It’s amazing what we can accomplish together.

Later in the day, Mayor Newsom and I headed over to Midtown Terrace, where neighborhood kids were busy testing out the new playground equipment and enjoying a jumpy house, games and arts and crafts. Mayor Newsom even took a ride on the new slide.

It was a quiet open house event that was a great way to end the day.

Honoring Our Volunteers and Dedicated Workers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:18:00 +0000

Thursday, December 3

At today’s Recreation and Park Commission meeting, I had the privilege of honoring some very important folks whose commitment to improving our parks and programs is immeasurable.

This year, the Department reached its goal of 100,000 volunteer hours, in large part because of community organizations like One Brick, which is one of the major players in helping us organize and increase our volunteer base. In April 2002, One Brick kicked off their first project in Golden Gate Park’s Bison Paddock. Since then, One Brick has staffed 329 Department events and donated approximately 17,553 volunteer gardening hours to the city’s parks.

Yet, it is impossible to measure the impact of this incredible volunteer organization in numbers alone. The value it brings to volunteering extends far beyond hours worked. Each event is hosted by a seasoned One Brick representative who welcomes the participants, provides nametags and organizes a post-project lunch. This extra level of service and the participant’s professionalism, enthusiasm and pure hard work are what make One Brick events a universal favorite with staff and volunteers alike.

One Brick has literally transformed parklands in the city. In 2003, One Brick adopted the Rhododendron Island in Golden Gate Park, which, at the time, was covered with ivy and blackberry brambles and basically buried in weeds. The combination of One Brick’s dedication and Park Section Supervisor Joe Giammattei’s vision and skill brought this area back to a lively attraction in the park, stopping motorists, pedestrians and bikers alike to feast on its extraordinary color, texture and fragrance. In total, One Brick has volunteered at the Rhododendron Island 70 times for a total of 5,800 hours.

Also recognized for her hard work was Recreation Director Kay Rodrigues-Eik, who began working for the Department in 1987 as an Assistant Recreation Director. She was attending San Francisco State University at the time, where she eventually obtained a dual degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies and Clinical Psychology. In order to complete her degree, she took a leave of absence from our Department to intern for another recreation agency. During her internship for San Francisco State, she was awarded Intern of the Year from Pacifica’s Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department.

Kay returned to the Department in 1993, and in 2000, her patience and determination was rewarded when she obtained a full-time Recreation Director position.

Currently working at Tenderloin Children’s Recreation Center, she has embodied constant improvement and has worked to positively affect the lives of the children and families that rely on her. She has served the Department by developing the first protocols for working with difficult children within a recreation setting and has trained over 120 RPD staff in Quality Customer Service. Demonstrating to her kids that they matter, she gives them the tools and support they need to choose a brighter future.

It’s folks like One Brick and Kay who make a difference in making our department a world-class city agency with world-class parks and programs, and on behalf of the Recreation and Park Department and the city as a whole, I thank them for their work.

You guys rock!

Prop C Maintenance Standards

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:47:00 +0000

Prop C Maintenance Standards

In 2003, San Francisco voters passed Proposition C, which required that:

-- The City establish standards for street, sidewalk, and park maintenance;
-- The City departments engaged in street, sidewalk, and park maintenance publish their schedules on the web, and;
-- The Controller's Office conduct an annual performance audit of the City's street, sidewalk and park maintenance and cleaning operations.

Since July 2004, the Controller's Office has worked with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and our department to develop maintenance standards and schedules and evaluate streets, sidewalks and parks for compliance.

At Rec and Park, our managers are responsible for performing quarterly park evaluations to ensure that our parks are conforming to the established maintenance standards, evaluating things like turf conditions, cleanliness of bathrooms and grounds, functionality of play equipment and the condition of plants and trees.

Today, I ventured out to Mountain Lake Park in the Richmond District. The park is looking great.

Overall, our parks are doing extremely well. In the last round of evaluations, for the first time in the nearly five year existence of the program, the combined scores from RPD and the Controller’s Office reached a compliance rating of 90%.

This means the dedicated work of our staff is making a quantifiable difference in providing world-class parks and recreation facilities to the public. Having set the target of 90% at the inception of the program, we are extremely pleased to have reached this goal and look forward to maintaining this standard as we move forward.

November 20: An Early Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:53:00 +0000

Friday, November 20: Turkey Cook Off

Thanksgiving came a week early for me this year, when I visited the Friday Night Fun program’s annual Turkey Cook-Off event, held this year at Eureka Valley Rec Center.

For more than 20 years, the department’s Friday Night Fun program has been providing city teens with safe and fun activities every Friday evening, getting them off the streets and into activities like sports, games, ski trips, group discussions, dances and other social events.

Every Thanksgiving, Friday Night Fun sites from all over the city meet for the annual turkey cook-off competition. Each site brings a home-made turkey or side dish and enters it for judging.

Lucky for me, I got to be a judge and taste all of the delicious treats from our rec centers and playgrounds. It was a great event with a lot of character and I’m glad I was asked to be a part of it.

We really do have some great programs out there.

Also, Jackie Battle, current Assistant Recreation Supervisor and longtime teen programs coordinator, did a fabulous job getting everyone together for this super event.

I’m making my reservations already for next year’s event.

November 19- Running Start Honorees

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:35:00 +0000

Running Start Honorees

In July, when I first came on board at Rec and Park and was still training for the San Francisco Marathon, our Department, the San Francisco Neighborhood Parks Council (NPC) and the San Francisco Parks Trust (SFPT) formed an aptly-named partnership program called the Running Start Fund.

The Fund solicited from members of the public some creative solutions that could be easily implemented and that would improve their local parks.

At today’s Commission meeting, I had the opportunity to thank the six members of the public whose ideas were selected and recently implemented into the Department’s operations.

Improved signage around park trash cans (Lia Smith)
Big Belly Solar Powered Trash Can at Mission Dolores Park (Gideon Kramer)
New Flag at Mountain Lake Park (Kate Scanlon)
Simplification of class/program registration procedures (Christina Goette)
New doggie relief stations in parks (Laura Cavaluzzo)
New trash cans at Louis Sutter Playground (Carol High)

The Department is always looking for ways in which we can improve what we do and how we do it. We depend on the public’s input because they are the ones who use our parks on a daily basis and who have a vested interest in the welfare of our parks.

I’d like to express a special thanks to all of the folks who submitted ideas to us for consideration, as well as to executive directors Meredith Thomas of NPC and Karen Kidwell of the Parks Trust.

We’ll be looking to implement more of your ideas in the near future.

November 18- Conservatory Garden Railway

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:33:00 +0000

Garden Railway Exhibit at the Conservatory

I love the words “repurposed” and “recycled.” When I’m done with this lifetime, I hope someone finds new use for me, just as the Conservatory of Flowers has found new use for a variety of household items and materials as part of their Second Annual Golden Gate Express Garden Railway exhibit, now on display through April 18, 2010.

The exhibit features a model railway system that meanders through a scaled, garden-filled replica of San Francisco, complete with a mini Transamerica Building, Ferry Building, Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge and Coit Tower.

What makes this exhibit doubly impressive is the fact that all of the landmarks are built using “recycled” and “repurposed” items--- things like utensils, light switch covers, corks, CDs, computer keys and even cheese graters.

This is the second iteration of the exhibit, which follows last year’s highly successful debut. Last night, I got to preview the exhibit and it instantly brought back memories of my childhood. This exhibit is not to be missed!

For more information, please click here.

The Week That Was: November 9-14, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:57:00 +0000

Monday November 9, 2009

More Sharp Park. This morning I participated on KQED's Forum with Michael Krasny. To listen to the interview, click here.

Tuesday November 10

Today, I met with our department's Capital staff for lunch. The Capital Improvement Division is an invaluable asset to our department, overseeing our major renovation projects that were outlined in the Department's Capital Plan in 1999. The division continues to oversee projects associated with Propositions A and C in the 2000 election, as well as projects to be completed as a result of the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Today, I met with Congresswoman Jackie Speier regarding Sharp Park.

Friday November 13, 2009

On Friday, I spent the morning at Justin Herman Plaza with the mayor and some other folks to talk about ways to address homelessness in the park and to clean up the plaza. I then spent the afternoon at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park, talking to various homeless folks and watching drug dealing, etc. There will be a Homeless Connect event at Sharon Meadow on Thursday, November 19. It's a very important opportunity for the city to reach out to homeless individuals and connect them to a wide array of health and human services, including dental care, eye care, family support, food, HIV testing, housing, hygiene products, medical care, mental health services, substance abuse services, SSI benefits, legal advice, California ID cards, voice mail, employment counseling, job placement, wheelchair repair and more.

To learn more about the city's Project Homeless Connect program, click here.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

On Saturday, I visited an open house event at the Harvey Milk Center for Recreational Arts, which reopened earlier this year after a fantastic renovation project. The state-of-the-art center houses a host of fine arts classes and programs, including a Photography Center, dance classes and art classes. Director Brando Rogers, who has an impressive background in art, organized the event and will be a great addition to the center.

Later in the day, I attended Nature in the City's first fundraiser, "Growing Nature in the City." Nature in the City is a community-based organization dedicated to habitat restoration and community stewardship, conservation advocacy and public education of San Francisco's natural heritage.

The event was a success for this very important organization. I spent time with founding director Peter Brastow and other Nature in the City members, as well as a few of our own Rec and Park staff members.

Read more about Nature in the City here.

Graffiti Joe

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:35:00 +0000

It's great to get letters of praise about our staff. It confirms my belief that we have some dedicated individuals out there who take their work of maintaining our parks and facilities to heart. A few days ago, I received the following letter from an Anne Flatte and Matthew Harrington, who live near Glen Park and were out at the park on Veterans Day:

“I would like to thank Parks and Rec and especially Joe Padilla for the immediate response and clean up to the anti-semitic graffiti in Glen Park Playground yesterday. Our family was planning to go to the park that day and I am very thankful that I and my children, ages 7 and 4, did not have to see such offensive hate graffiti on the playground. It means a lot to us that the city responded immediately to this crime, and we are glad that Parks and Rec takes it very seriously and took swift action. In particular, we are very grateful to Joe Padilla for coming in on a holiday to clean up the graffiti. It's people like Mr. Padilla doing the right thing that makes our community great. If you could forward him our thanks we would appreciate it.”

Joe Padilla heads our paint shop, and he and his crew spend much of their work hours painting over graffiti in our parks. If you’ve ever met Joe, you can tell just by looking at his paint-spattered work clothes that he’s serious about his job. He’s a walking Jackson Pollock painting!

Thank you, Joe, for taking care of business and attending to this matter. This is not the first time our parks have been vandalized with hate speech. It's an issue that goes beyond common vandalism and steps up the seriousness of the crime a hundred-fold. Our parks are one of the few places people go to relax and enjoy nature in the city, and unfortunately, a very small number of people have chosen to abuse the pleasure and aggressively ruin that experience for the rest of us. Sad.

Four More Inclusive Playgrounds

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:34:00 +0000

In July, during my first month on the job at Rec and Park, we reopened St. Mary’s Playground, a fantastic facility and our most inclusive playground to date. The playground design allows children of all abilities access to all parts of the playground structure.

One parent, Erika Ragland, whose young son uses a wheelchair, was present at the opening and has been a proponent for more inclusive playgrounds in the city.

On Thursday, November 5th the Recreation and Park Commission voted to incorporate more inclusive playgrounds into the design of four facilities due for renovations via the Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, passed by voters last year.

Playgrounds at Palega Recreation Center, Lafayette Park, Cayuga Playground and McCoppin Square will now incorporate Boundless Playground designs as we move toward providing more inclusive and accessible recreation opportunities for everyone.

This is a victory for all of us, and I’m glad to be a part of such a meaningful movement.

The Fate of Sharp Park Golf Course

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:31:00 +0000

On Friday, November 6th our Department released its long awaited report on the fate of Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica.

In recent years, the popular golf course, owned by our Department, has become somewhat of a hot topic amongst golfers, environmentalists and city leaders. The golf course, you see, is the home of the endangered San Francisco garter snake and the California red-legged frog.

This report, commissioned by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, looks at three possible scenarios under which the San Francisco garter snake could be allowed to thrive--- keeping an 18-hole course with some modifications, reducing the number of holes to nine, and scrapping the entire golf course and creating a nature preserve and park in its place.

A team of environmental consultants who are experts in all issues related to the garter snake worked over the past several months to study and evaluate the three scenarios.

Our department, in turn, will take the report and make its official recommendations to the Recreation and Park Commission and, ultimately, to the Board of Supervisors.

As general manager of the Recreation and Park Department, it is often my job to balance the interests of our park users and come up with solutions that make the most sense for all of us.

This latest report, I think, lays out a plan that accomplishes this. Modifying the existing layout of Sharp Park and maintaining a full 18-hole course seems to make the most sense here. The garter snake, which lives in three main wetland areas on the course (Laguna Salada, Horse Stable Pond and the connecting corridor between the two), would not only be able to survive, but thrive, by modifying the course layout and moving the existing 12th hole of the course.

Obviously, compromise leaves everyone a little wanting, but with the help and input from congresswoman Jackie Speier (D) and other local officials from both Pacifica and San Francisco, I hope we’ll be able to put this win-win into action. To hear an hour-long discussion on Sharp Park that aired on KQED radio this week, click here.

Other media coverage on the Sharp Park report:

KGO/ABC-7 Story on November 6, by Wayne Freedman

KCBS Radio Interview on November 6, by Barbara Taylor

San Francisco Chronicle Article on November 7, by Rachel Gordon

San Francisco Examiner Article on November 7, by Katie Worth

The Week That Was: November 2-7, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:38:00 +0000

Monday, November 2

This morning I attended a department head meeting at the De Young Museum. In the afternoon I attended the Silver SPUR awards. Among the honorees were two park champions, Isabel Wade and Brian O'Neil. After the SPUR meeting, I met with our new Police Chief, George Gascon. The Chief and I talked about how to improve communication between our Park Patrol Officers and Police and specific parks where I feel we need a little more attention from our sworn officers.

Tuesday, November 3

Election Day. It was a split decision for Rec and Park. To the good, Prop C passed. Prop C grants us naming rights (again) at Candlestick Park and reserves any revenue generated for the purpose of hiring recreation directors. I don't expect Prop C to generate a ton of dough , but given the budget we will likely need to grapple with for 2009-2010. To the bad, Prop. E also passed. Prop E prohibits new general advertising which will make it even more difficult for us to raise badly needed revenue.

Wednesday, November 4

Today I held monthly office hours. Every month I set aside 3-4 hours for either staff or members of the public to meet with me, one on one, to discuss whatever is on their mind. Today was a staff day (I alternate). I met with several members of my staff who gave me advice, wisdom, recommendations, new ideas, complaints, inspiration and some new challenges.

This evening I met with members with the South of Market Project Area Committee (SOMPAC). We discussed some changes at the Gene Friend Rec Center. Beginning this Winter, we will be doing more of our own programming at the Center and for the first time we will have an afterschool program on site. After that meeting I attended part of my first Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Committee (PROSAC). PROSAC is a citizen advisory body that guides the department on open space and recreation planning issue. For more information about PROSAC and its membership, click here.

Thursday, November 5: Volunteer Honored at Commission Meeting

During my report at each of our Commission meetings, I have the opportunity to honor a special volunteer whose dedication and spirit have positively affected our department and the city as a whole.

Today, we honored volunteer Fran Gray, a retired SF Unified School District employee of 30 years who has shared her passion and talents of playing the ukelele and violin with youth at the Harvey Milk Center for Recreational Arts.

Ms. Gray's dedication and spirit of giving have been an inspiration to all of us, and we thank her for helping to provide an array of fine arts classes that enrich our children's lives.

Friday, November 6: Sharp Park and a Friday Fun Day

Today we publicly released our report on Sharp Park. It's described in detail in a separate blog entry. For more on Sharp Park, click here.

After issuing our report, it was time to end a long week with a little fun. At the end of the day, a few members of my staff and I had the opportunity to join some kids at Richmond Recreation Center for some late afternoon fun and games.

During the last few months (schedule permitting), I’ve been encouraging staff to join me for Friday Fun Days, special opportunities for our administrative folks to get out and experience other aspects of our recreation and park operations. After all, how can we expect to administer over our parks and programs unless we get out and use them ourselves? Friday Fun Day topics have consisted of us learning horticulture from our gardeners or meeting out in the park for a friendly game of Ultimate Frisbee.

Today, we ventured out to Richmond Recreation Center, where Neighborhood Sevices Area manager Jim Wheeler (sitting in for Lorraine Banford), Assistant Recreation Supervisor Sean McGrew and the rest of the Richmond Rec Center staff had planned a fun-filled afternoon with the children who regularly attend the site’s after school program.

First, we all participated in an Edible Art class, where we made trees out of fruit and vegetables and rediscovered our inner-child by getting to play with our food. My tree was about average in looks but if there’s one thing I learned about edible art, it’s this: no matter what it looks like, it all tastes the same.

Later in the afternoon, we played some active indoor games, including a game called Protect the Chair, which is played pretty much as it sounds. A player stands in the middle of the room next to a chair while the surrounding players try to hit the chair with rubber balls. The player in the middle has to play goalie and deflect (or catch) the balls coming from all directions.

It was a great afternoon, and I think my staff got to see first-hand the excellent and important work our recreation professionals do on a daily basis.

Saturday November 7, 2009

Sunnyside Playground is one of those parks that has tremendous community support behind it. Its neighbors care deeply about it and the turnout at all of its events is evidence of that.

On Saturday, we reopened the park’s clubhouse with a community celebration that included fun and games for the young and young-at-heart. Organized by Neighborhood Services Area manager Eric Andersen and his staff, including recreation director Joe Scott, the day was a huge success. Joe will be a great addition to this neighborhood park; he already has a host of programs lined up for tots and young children.

The clubhouse renovation project, by the way, was a direct result of a surplus of funds from the first phase of the project, which originally only covered improvements to the playgroundand which reopened in 2007. How rare is that?

I also had the chance to head over to Lafayette Park. The Friends of Lafayette Park was honoring one of its founders by hosting the Kim Barnes Cleaning and Greening Day. Kim, who was also a former board member for the group, is a respected member of the community whose vision and leadership energized the neighborhood and have translated into a very active, very successful community organization.

The Friends of Lafayette Park meets regularly, every first Saturday of the month, for a cleaning and greening event.

For more information on their group, click here.