Or so it would appear.
Watch RPD take a victory lap right here:
“Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against the Beach Chalet Athletic Fields Renovation in Golden Gate Park
Beach Chalet Soccer Fields Renovation To Proceed
For Immediate Release
December 4, 2013
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and the City Fields Foundation announced today that California Superior Court Judge Teri L. Jackson has ruled in favor of the renovation of the Beach Chalet Athletic Fields in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
“After considering the evidence, arguments and applicable law, the court DENIES the petition for writ of mandate and DISMISSES the Complaint in entirety,” Judge Jackson stated in her decision,
Judge Jackson found that the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and subsequent approvals were conducted in accordance with the law, paving the way for construction to begin. Judge Jackson ruled against the plaintiffs on all four major motions they filed.
“This is a huge victory for the youth in our city who need clean, safe places to play,” said Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of San Francisco Recreation and Parks. “Perhaps the most vetted project in the history of the city, the new Beach Chalet soccer fields will be a welcome addition to the west end of Golden Gate Park and will help activate the area with fun, appropriate activities.”
“Our partnership with Recreation and Parks started nearly eight years ago with one simple goal, making sure that every San Francisco child has a place to play ball,” said Susan Hirsch, Project Director for the City Fields Foundation. “Today, we’re one big step closer to achieving that dream thanks to the tireless commitment of San Francisco’s kids, families, athletes and hundreds of donors making this project possible.”
Primarily used by kids (more than 12,000 play there each year), the Beach Chalet fields are in dangerously poor condition and closed 50% of the time to preserve the condition of the grass fields from heavy use and rain. Currently, the fields are only open by paid reservation and lack spectator seating and amenities.
Today’s judgment is the most recent affirmation of the Beach Chalet Athletic Fields renovation, continuing a multi-year design, review, approval and appeal process that has included eight votes in front of six different government bodies, including the California Coastal Commission, the SF Board of Supervisors, SF Planning Commission, SF Recreation and Parks Commission, and the Board of Permit Appeals. Each of these bodies has voted in favor of the project, San Francisco Recreation and Parks and the nonprofit City Fields Foundation are jointly funding the $14,000,000 renovation of the Beach Chalet Athletic Fields. Construction is anticipated to begin in winter-spring 2014 with completion in 2015.
By installing synthetic turf and field lights, playtime on the fields will triple to more than 14,000 hours of annual playtime, 5,700,000 gallons of water will be saved annually, and the entire facility will become more welcoming with rehabilitated restrooms, spectator seating, a new plaza and small play structure for kids, plus new picnic tables and barbeques for all to enjoy. As synthetic turf can be used continuously with no need to rest for rain or regrowth, free, open play time will also be guaranteed on the fields – something not possible on most other city soccer fields.
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