A permanent JFK Promenade moves two steps closer to reality
Thank you to Mayor London Breed, and Supervisors Haney, Mandelman, and Preston
Yesterday Mayor London Breed introduced legislation to keep the eastern portion of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park permanently closed to private vehicles. Supervisors Haney, Mandelman, and Preston cosponsored the ordinance.
KidSafe SF applauds Mayor London Breed and the supervisors for leading on a car-free JFK Promenade. The pandemic has been hard for families, but car-free JFK has been a silver lining, especially for San Francisco’s kids. We’re thrilled to see the mayor and supervisors leading the way to a safer, healthier, more family-friendly future for the city.
The ordinance comes on the heels of a marathon 9-hour hearing of the SFMTA Board of Directors and Recreation and Parks Commission, where both boards overwhelmingly approved city staff’s recommendation to keep JFK permanently open to people. Thank you to everyone who showed up and called in for this hearing. Your support makes a big difference!
After nearly two years of public process, it’s now nearly time for the full Board of Supervisors to vote on the future of JFK. As of now, only three supervisors are on record saying they will vote for a permanent promenade. We need to get to six!
That means that now is the time to call and write your supervisor and ask them to vote to support a permanent JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park!
We can’t have a victory party…yet
The car-free JFK Promenade won’t be a done deal until the Board of Supervisors votes on legislation to make it permanent. They are expected to vote sometime in April or May to preserve the JFK Promenade. In the meantime, many other improvements are happening in the Park to improve access, equity, safety, and mobility:
In early March, construction started on a new 100% free, 100% ADA surface parking lot between the California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum. This represents a net increase in ADA parking spaces close to park institutions.
Free shuttle service now runs seven days a week, with new connections to public transit and expanded stops and signage at attractions.
Earlier this year, Conservatory Drive West was opened to private vehicles and parking to increase access to the Conservatory of Flowers.
We’re hopeful that the full Board of Supervisors will soon join their colleagues in support of a safer, more accessible, and more inclusive vision for Golden Gate Park. That’s why we need you to call your supervisor today to encourage them to vote for a permanent JFK Promenade!
We’re looking forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders, including the museums, to make the JFK Promenade safe and accessible for all.
Here’s what you can do to help get car-free JFK over the line
Send a letter of support to Mayor Breed and the Board of Supervisors: Thank Mayor Breed for her leadership, and ask the Board of Supervisors to follow her lead.
Call your supervisor’s office: Call your supervisor and let them know how much you love the car-free JFK Promenade.
Request a window sign: Show your support for the Promenade with an I ❤️ JFK Promenade window sign.
Share our action hub: We’ve collected all of these actions you can take in one convenient place. Share it with 3 friends today!
