San Francisco NIMBYs blocking a playground
San Francisco's Rec and Park department built a children's playground in an existing public park and some residents are absolutely furious they didn't spend years doing environmental reviews and public outreach first.
For a playground. In a park that already exists.
The complaint is that there was no waiting, no Sunshine Act responses, no coastal approvals, no ADA accessibility review, no safety compliance checks. Just a one-year permit and construction starting July 16. Selena C is demanding answers about what they're "trying to cover up" by expediting a kids' playground.
This is what passes for civic engagement now: paralysis so complete that building a sandbox requires years of bureaucratic theater.
Instead of answering the Sunshine requests, SF Rec & Park released a long press announcement yesterday. SF Rec & Park says the temporary Shipwreck Cove playground received a one year permit from the department last week, and construction began on July 16, 2026. There was no waiting for funding before work started. So. Does building a playground on public park require only Rec & Park approval? I would have expected the usual reviews and approvals, building permits (if applicable), ADA accessibility and playground safety compliance, environmental review, any required coastal approvals, outreach, and insurance. Rather than responding to the Sunshine requests, SF Rec & Park chose to issue a press release about its expedited project. What are they trying to cover up? So many questions remain unanswered. Lucas Lux wants. Lucas Lux gets. No red tape, just green lights. Questions sent to rpdinfo@sfgov.com. Here's the press release from SF Rec and Park, https://sfrecpark.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/2987.
Source
x.com