Planning Association for the Richmond, SF

Fall issue of the PAR newsletter is out

The Fall 2016 issue of the PAR newsletter is out — take a look at it here.

Read about: The venerable Alexandria Theater gets a makeover; Mountain Lake Park playground project nears ribbon-cutting day; Richmond residents help shape Presidio future; sewer improvements continue throughout the Richmond; storm drains, grey water, rain gardens, and more.

And be sure to come to the Fall member meeting, everyone's welcome:

PAR Fall 2016 general meeting
Wednesday, October 19, 7 pm - 9 pm
Richmond Recreation Center, 251 18th Avenue
(between Clement & California streets)

November Ballot Measures — We'll have presentations and discussions about Propositions E, F, I, J, R and V, all of which affect the Richmond District.

Come out and be part of PAR's community conversation.

Algae bloom at Mountain Lake — important information

Michael Boland at the Presidio Trust writes:

As you may be aware, a large algae bloom is currently occurring in Mountain Lake. Annual summertime algae blooms occur in many water bodies around California and historically at Mountain Lake. Blooms are typically caused by a combination of excess nutrients, warmer temperatures and ample sunlight, and may last several months.

We expected a significant bloom at Mountain Lake this summer due to the recent above average temperatures and the amount of suspended nutrients in the water resulting from the recent dredging of the lake bottom. The current bloom is expected to dissipate in the fall. However we recently identified a type of Blue-Green algae (Microscystis aeruginosa), which has the potential to have adverse effects on human and animal health, in the lake. Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of park visitors and their pets, we are going to restrict access to the beach until this algae bloom subsides. This morning Trust crews temporarily closed off the access to the Mountain Lake beach, and we will be installing signage by the end of the day. Today we also plan to send an email to the Mountain Lake mailing list to be sure we get the word out broadly.

As you know, we are in the midst of ongoing work on a number of restoration projects at the lake including installation of an aeration system, eradication of invasive fish, replanting of submerged aquatic vegetation, and reintroductions of native plant and animal species. All of these measures will improve the health of the lake and help reduce the likelihood of large algae blooms in the future.

We will keep you informed on the safety of the lake as conditions progress and notify you when the beach is ready to reopen.

Presidio Historical Association members tour Fort Scott batteries

On Saturday April 12, Steven Haller, Historian of the National Park Service, took a dedicated group of Presidio Historical Association members on a tour of the Fort Scott batteries. Starting at the parking lot at Battery East...which most of us did not know was even part of Fort Scott, we wandered over, past, and through three fortifications created by the US Army, starting with the Civil War era and ending with the Nike missile era. Steve pointed to walls, barricades, and gun batteries that had been built over the years and that changed radically as the threats of attack to the Golden Gate shifted.

In the early days, the bluffs around the Gate bristled with cannons. Later, when ships could travel much faster out of the range of the cannons, more powerful guns were installed, some with ammunition weighing up to 1000 pounds. We were given a special tour inside Battery Godfrey where the Park Service has resuscitated the pulleys the raised these enormous "bullets" and restored the exterior and interior to its historical past. Volunteer and author John Martini demonstrated the raising and lowering of the creaky but functional pulleys.

Michael Brassington, a PHA Board member, was on the tour with his wife Betty. He shared with the group that in 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Mike worked in the building just above Battery Godfrey, in S2 Intelligence for Nike Missile sites at Forts Cronkite and Barry.

Members agreed that our views of the Bridge and the Golden Gate, and our knowledge of Fort Scott history, were forever enhanced by this amazing experience.

For more information about the Fort Scott Batteries, see the NPS website.

Winter 2014 issue of the PAR newsletter is out

The Winter 2014 issue of the PAR newsletter is out — take a look at it here.

Read about: Geary Bus Rapid Transit plans feature five alternatives; help create a better playground at Mountain Lake Park; SFPD's Crisis Intervention Team; updates on Fulton 5 Limited, Lake Street pedestrian islands and Clement Street speed humps, proposals and process for Presidio commissary redevelopment, new Grocery Outlet on Geary, and more.

And be sure to come to the Winter member meeting, everyone's welcome:

PAR Winter 2014 general meeting
Wednesday, January 15, 2014, 7 pm - 9 pm
Richmond Recreation Center, 251 18th Avenue
(between Clement & California streets)

Catch up on updated plans for the new La Playa Safeway, and learn about the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond measure on the June 2014 ballot. Come and be a part of PAR's community conversation.

Presidio News - El Polín Celebration, Butterfly Guide, New Exhibit and Film Night

Having trouble viewing this email? View the web-based version. Issue: June 7, 2012 FEATURED A Month of Celebrations at El Polín Spring Nestled within the Presidio's largest watershed is El Polin Spring, a birdwatching paradise and a place to connect with the Presidio's early history. This recently revitalized gem is formally unveiled to the community this month with walks, talks, and family events - including two bilingual (Spanish/English) tours. Join us for guided adventures, a community volunteer day, or even a chance to enjoy a picnic with your family on the new benches. RSVP requested for the events. See you there! See the Activities and Events » EXHIBIT New Reasons to See Before the Bridge A slate of special programs now complements the new exhibition Before the Bridge: Sight and Sound at the Golden Gate. Join a sing-along of sea chanteys and sailor songs, learn about the bay's lighthouses and coastal guns, or get a high-tech briefing on the effort to map the sea floor beneath the bridge. There's also a guided tour with exhibit curator Dr. Randolph Delehanty every first Saturday of the month. Curious about the exhibit? Watch a short video produced by KTVU news. Then see for yourself! See the New Exhibit Special Programs >> NATURE Thompson Reach Butterfly Guide The Presidio’s varied habitats attract 29 distinct butterfly species, each thriving in a particular niche, from wetlands to grassy meadows. A known “hot spot” for sighting these winged beauties is the recently restored Thompson Reach area, near the Presidio Y on the Main Post. The Presidio Trust has published a new guide to help you identify species commonly seen near the creek, from the Fiery Skipper to the West Coast Lady. Grab your binoculars! Get the Guide >> UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, June 9, 10 OR 11:30 am Family Create with Nature Day at El Polin Thursday, June 14, 5 pm Botanical Tour of the Watershed Saturday, June 16, 10 OR 11 am El Polin Discovery for Families Saturday, June 16, 2 pm Bilingual History Walking Tour at El Polin Wednesday, June 27, 11 am San Francisco's Birthday Thursday, June 28, 7 pm Fort Ross Series: General Vallejo's Legacy Friday, June 29, Noon Pasados del Presidio: Fun for Kids Wednesday, July 11, Noon Presidio Shuttle Tour OUTDOOR FILM Bridge on the Big Screen: Superman Saturday, June 9, Music + Food at 6 pm, Film at 8:30 pm Before catching the classic film, enjoy Off the Grid food trucks and music with players from the Whiskey Family Band. Bring a blanket or low lawn chair. Get Details » ART Michael Kenna Photo Exhibit at Arion Press Through August 31, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm The exhibit shows photographs from the “Jefferson in Paris” series, work done in 2011 for the book Thomas Jefferson’s Paris Walks. Read More »

ABOUT VISIT EXPLORE VOLUNTEER VENUES LEASE LODGING CALENDAR www.presidio.gov P.O. Box 29052 34 Graham Street San Francisco, CA 94129 [email protected] Copyright © 2012 The Presidio Trust. All Rights Reserved. FOLLOW US: Thank you for registering for email updates from the Presidio. To unsubscribe click here.