As reported on the San Francisco Business Times, the corner of Market Street and Buchanan Street (right across from the Mint and the recycling center) will have a new look in the coming year(s). Read the article below: SF Business Times – Condos Struck by Magic

Friends, neighbors, community members:

The Hayes Valley Voice, brought to you by the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, is in need of some help!

Ways to help:

1. Deliver the Voice. If you are interested in walking through the neighborhood and dropping off Voices (or the bi-monthly flyer) at people’s doorsteps for a few blocks of the neighborhood. Please email us at voice@hayesvalleysf.org

2. Layout the Voice. The file is already set up in Adobe InDesign by a generous graphic designer. You will work with the Editor of the newsletter every other month to layout the Voice. On the off months, you will only need to update the rear business member list that goes on the back of the flyer, with the help of the membership chair. Please email us at voice@hayesvalleysf.org.

3. Edit the Voice Our editor is moving across the bay (not by choice but by circumstance). We will need someone to take on the role of editor. If you are interested, please email us at voice@hayesvalleysf.org

4. Contribute to the Blog or be a blog manager. We need people to contribute pieces to the blog and someone to be in charge of updating the blog. Please email us at voice@hayesvalleysf.org

5. Website management. The website is being redesigned. Please email us at voice@hayesvalleysf.org if you can help with the website by maintaining it.

6. Any other areas of interest in the Hayes Valley Neighbhorhood Association should be directed to president@hayesvalleysf.org. We can add you to the email mailing list.

After three months of community outreach with numerous stakeholders, we incorporated your feedback and developed the 2012 San Francisco Recreation and Park bond program. We will be discussing the proposed neighborhood parks for 2012 bond inclusion and our list of city wide programs.  Community feedback and participation played a crucial part in the success of the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond and we are building on that successful framework.

Approved by 71.6 percent of San Francisco voters, the 2008 bond has helped to address the more than $1 billion in capital needs faced by the city’s park system by implementing $185 million in park improvements project at sites all across the city.

Co-Hosted by Supervisor Christina Olague (District Five), Supervisor Scott Wiener (District Eight) and the San Francisco Parks Alliance

When: Wednesday, April 18th – 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Where:  Harvey Milk Rec Center - 50 Scott St.

Stroll up and down Haight Street and see art shows, live painting, live music, drinks, snacks, merriment, and tons of specials at local stores, restaurants and bars.

Come join us for the Lower Haight Spring Art Walk on Friday, April 6, 2012 at 6pm for art, music, food and fun.
Some expected highlights:
- Live music, new artwork, and wine and beer at Edo Salon
- Happy hour specials all day at The Grind
- 20% off all Bumble & Bumble products with purchase of $55 or greater at Wak Shack
- $3 Sam Adams and $2.50 Tecates at Danny Coyle’s
- 40% off John Derian Decoupage at Xapno
- Additional 20% off already reduced items at Merch
- Closing party, art opening of works by Ari Berger and live music by Bill Ortiz and friends at Lower Haters
- 20% off at Black Pancake Records
- $60 “Get what you get” tattoos at Idle Hand Tattoo
- Santa Maria tri tip sandwiches grilled on the street at Memphis Minnie’s
- 10% off all clothing plus an art opening at D-Structure
- Free small fries with purchase of a burger or cheesesteak at Metro Caffe
- Drink specials at Nickies
- 2-for-1 well drinks from 6pm to 8pm and $2 PBRs at Underground SF
- Free biscuits and local photography at Wing Wings
- 10% off at Rotee
- 20% off repairs and 10% off computer purchases at Love Haight Computers

Links: Event details

Cost: FREE*

*The art walk is free, bring $$ for food and shopping

Photo by sfbike.

On Saturday, March 31st, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will host a public meeting to discuss pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements on Oak Street and Fell Street between Scott Street and Baker Street. The purpose of the meeting will be for the SFMTA to share a conceptual project design and to collect public feedback. There will be a four-hour window of time in which the public is encouraged to drop in to review design options and potential project impacts, so please stop by at any time between 10am and 2pm.

Oak and Fell Project Public Meeting

DATE: Saturday, March 31

TIME: 10:00am-2:00pm (open house

LOCATION: SF Day School, 350 Masonic Ave (at Golden Gate)

For more information about this project, please see our project web page:http://www.sfmta.com/cms/bproj/OakandFellBikeways.htm

SF Rec and Park’s Park Score Increases to 90.6%
City Controller Issues Mid-Year Park Score Report

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD) announced today citywide, the average mid-year park score is 90.6 percent, an increase compared to both last year and all previous years.  The results are based on 395 evaluations of 160 parks.  The RPD team has noted that with newly renovated parks and recreational facilities, the team is able to conduct more efficient maintenance throughout the park system.

“The Recreation and Park Department is using scarce resources wisely and thoughtfully planning for the future of our parks,” said Mayor Ed Lee. “Clean and safe parks help us stay healthier and support families in our City.”

“With Mayor Lee’s support, SF Rec and Park is able to build on the momentum for capital improvement and tackle the Department’s more than $1 billion of deferred maintenance,” said Phil Ginsburg, SF Rec and Park General Manager.  “We are committed to make sure our parks are clean, safe and fun for all park users.”

Park scores are based on performance standards that cover 14 park features such as lawns, trees, athletic fields, courts, children’s play areas, and benches and tables. Generally, a score above 85 percent indicates that a park is well maintained and that its features are in good condition.

In November 2003, San Francisco voters passed Proposition C establishing the City Services Auditor (CSA) in the Controller’s Office which mandates CSA and RPD to design and implement Proposition C’s requirement for standards, evaluations, schedules, and reporting for City’s park system.

For more about SF Rec and Park, please visit www.sfrecpark.org and for complete copy of SF Rec and Park’s mid-year park score report, please visitwww.sfcontroller.org.

A bench along the park's walkway.

If you weren’t paying attention, you could altogether miss the Rose Page Mini Park. This quiet, green space is situated between Rose and Page Street on one side, and Laguna and Buchanan Street on the other.

The park opened in 1972, but subsequently fell into a state of disrepair. Neighborhood residents, organized through the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group, restored the facilities and the park reopened in April 1999. A more detailed history of the Rose Page Mini Park is available at the San Francisco Neighborhood Parks Council.

The mini park features a community garden, flower beds, and a welcoming bench to enjoy the resplendent nature tucked away in this green retreat.

Main entrance to the park from Page Street.

Flower beds and community garden.

Alternative entrance to the park from Rose Street.

As part of the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, the Community Opportunity Fund is giving neighborhoods, community groups, and park enthusiasts an opportunity to make a real difference at their favorite local city parks. Please attend one of the following workshops to begin your application process for a Community Opportunity Fund project. Attendance at one workshop is mandatory for all applicants.To download the application, click here and go to the Application Materials tab, round 3.

Thursday, March 22nd 6:00-8:00 PM, County Fair Building, 1199 9th Ave (inside Golden Gate Park), San Francisco, CA 94122

Tuesday, March 27th 6:00-8:00 PM, Joe DiMaggio Recreation Center, 651 Lombard St., San Francisco, CA 94129, Multi-Purpose Room

Thursday, March 29th 6:00-8:00 PM, Joe Lee Recreation Center, 1395 Mendell St., San Francisco, CA 94124, Multi-Purpose Room 2

Tuesday, April 3rd 6:00-8:00 PM, Mission Recreation Center, 2450 Harrison St., San Francisco, CA 94110, Auditorium

Tuesday, April 10th 6:00-8:00 PM, San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102, Room 278

ALSO – mark your calendars -

DOLORES PARK PLAYGROUND GRAND RE-OPENING, March 31!

You are cordially invited to join Mayor Ed Lee, Supervisor Scott Wiener, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg, Mrs. Helen Diller, San Francisco Parks Alliance and Friends of Dolores Park Playground for the grand opening ceremony of Helen Diller Playground at Mission Dolores Park. The event will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, music, and entertainment for children and families.Download the flier here. 

Saturday, March 31, 2012, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

BACKGROUND

With the help and generous donation of more than $1.5 million from the Mercer Fund in honor of San Francisco Bay Area philanthropist Helen Diller, together with funding from the 2008 Parks Bond and the City’s General Fund, major renovation of the Dolores Park Playground has been completed. The site now has several unique and exciting features, including: a central play mound that will have an ADA-accessible suspension bridge, built-in slide and climbing nets; custom-made ship wrecked boats; and a 36′ super slide built into the natural hillside behind the playground. And in honor and appreciation of Mrs. Diller’s lifetime philanthropic work and community contributions, the playground is named the Helen Diller Playground.

Today, Helen Diller Playground is located in Mission Dolores Park, a 13.37-acre site in the Mission District and bounded by Dolores, Church, 18th and 19th Streets. During the community planning process for the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, strong community involvement through Friends of Dolores Park Playground and San Francisco Parks Alliance expressed support for a world-class playground for the children and families living in the Mission neighborhood.