Candidates to participate in free public forum moderated by John King, Urban Design Critic
August 30, 2011 — San Francisco mayoral candidates will face off at a free public forum on parks, recreation and open spaces on Monday, September 12 moderated by John King, the San Francisco Chronicle’s urban design critic. “From Streets to Parks: Safer, Greener Public Space” is sponsored by a coalition of non-profit organizations devoted to San Francisco’s open spaces and their vital role in the city’s livability, including the Neighborhoods Parks Council, Friends of the Urban Forest, San Francisco Parks Trust and Walk San Francisco.
“Our goal is to give citizens the opportunity to learn more about each candidate’s knowledge and positions on the issues that concern us,” said the executive directors of the sponsoring organizations in a joint statement. “Together we can help ensure that our next mayor is a strong voice for improving our streets, parks and open spaces.”
Challenges facing the next mayor include how to make San Francisco’s parks and open spaces safer and more inviting, how to ensure adequate funding for them, how to increase use of public transportation, and how to continue to develop our “green infrastructure.”
Confirmed participants, to date, include mayoral candidates Jeff Adachi, Michela Alioto-Pier, John Avalos, David Chiu, Bevan Dufty, Tony Hall, Dennis Herrera, Joanna Rees and Phil Ting.
The event will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Milton Marks Auditorium, 455 Golden Gate Avenue between Polk and Larkin streets, three blocks from the Civic Center BART and MUNI stops. Refreshments will be provided. Members of the public are invited to RSVP and submit questions for the candidates at sfnpc.org/mayoralforum2011 or by phone at 415-621-3260.
About the Neighborhood Parks Council
Established in 1996, the Neighborhood Parks Council (NPC) is a citywide non-profit that emphasizes how vital parks and open spaces are to every neighborhood in San Francisco. NPC helps the community take action on park issues and keeps parks a priority at City Hall. NPC believes every inch of the city is valuable and all citizens should have clean, safe and enjoyable parks. More information: http://www.sfnpc.org.
About Friends Of The Urban Forest
By greening the streets of San Francisco, Friends of the Urban Forest supports the health and livability of the urban environment. Since 1981, FUF has planted over 45,000 trees (more than all the trees in Golden Gate Park), and is responsible for over 40% of San Francisco’s street tree canopy. More information: https://treedirectory.friendsoftheurbanforest.org.
About San Francisco Parks Trust
San Francisco Parks Trust is dedicated to enhancing and protecting the parks, open spaces, and recreational activities that it believes are vital to the physical and mental well being and happiness of our City’s residents. SFPT also values and respects the vital role our parks and open spaces play in preserving our natural environment, and is committed to ecological and wildlife stewardship. More information: http://www.sfparksalliance.org.
About Walk San Francisco
Walk San Francisco is San Francisco’s premier pedestrian advocacy organization. Walk SF and its members are making San Francisco a more livable, walkable city and reclaiming our streets as shared public space for everyone to enjoy. More information: http://www.walksf.org.