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February 2023
Success: Esprit Park Renovation Begins!
During the January 20th groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of Esprit Park, FoEP president Irma Lewis was acknowledged for her long-time contributions to the project by District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, RecPark General Manager Phil Ginsburg and UCSF Vice Chancellor Francesca Vega.
We Did It! And due to the efforts made by so many of you writing to the City’s staff and its Board of Appeals, the new Esprit Park will NOT be 50% plastic turf. During an Appeals hearing FOEP also secured a commitment from the City’s RecPark department to replace the matures trees they will cut down with more mature saplings than they originally intended. The proposed replacement trees were grown inside 24-inch-square boxes—very young juvenile saplings. We were able to get a commitment for slightly more mature saplings grown inside of 36-inch-square boxes. A 50% increase in box size? We will take the small victories where we can get them! The slightly more mature trees will have a better chance of surviving and flourishing. But they will still be small and need our attention for many years to come. Moving Forward Once renovated, Esprit Park will become a “common sense” shared space for all. People who prefer to avoid off-leash dogs—the elderly, people with disabilities, toddlers—will be able to enjoy the park in a dog-free meadow without the fear of dogs playing ruff around them. (See what we did there? Ruff!) As with all such public spaces, trained service and emotional support dogs on a leash can enjoy the shared public area too. As with almost all projects involving the community and city agencies, this process was not without its struggles. However, thanks to the dedication of many residents and park users, the renovated Esprit Park should be a public space that can be used and appreciated by everyone. Thanks to Irma! Our president Irma Lewis has by far spent the most time and energy on the preparations for this renovation by: analyzing plans, attending hearings, appeals, and planning meetings, keeping track of dollars promised, dollars allocated, writing briefs, and more appeals, and being both the brains and the brawn behind our efforts to ensure this park:
1) accommodates both people with dogs and people without dogs, and by 2) preserving as many mature trees as possible, plus 3) less plastic turf and more real grass. THANK IRMA next time you see her … and Nikita too. ~ Patrick Hoctel, Secretary
~ Rob Edwards, Treasurer
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