25-03-2025
Public park site of former Great Highway hit again by graffiti vandals
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — San Francisco Recreation and Parks said more spray-painted messages were discovered Sunday morning at the site of the former Upper Great Highway — now being revitalized into an oceanfront public park.
Why was San Francisco City Hall lit red last week?
Officials said the graffiti messages included language opposing the site of the soon-to-be opened park, including 'gentriffy (sic)' and 'Your (sic) bringing trouble….' Officials said the San Franciso Police Department and park rangers responded to the incident. Rangers are increasing their patrols in the area.
In November, San Franciscans voted to ban cars for a two-mile radius of the Great Highway and transform it into a public park.
On March 15, one day after the highway was permanently closed to car traffic between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard, a mural by local artist Emily Fromm at the Judah Street bathroom location was 'heavy vandalized.'
'It's painful to see something meant to uplift the community and celebrate our history be treated with disrespect,' the muralist said in a news release following the incident.
Friends of Ocean Beach Park said the recent act of vandalism was removed by Sunday evening thanks to its volunteers and Rec and Parks painters.
'Destructive behavior by a few won't get in the way of our work to make the coast enjoyable and accessible by all,' says Friends of Ocean Beach Park President Lucas Lux.
'There are countless constructive ways to engage in conversations about our city's future, but spray-painting public spaces isn't one of them,' added San Francisco Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. 'We're focused on creating something beautiful for everyone, and that work will continue.'
Friends of Ocean Beach Park said despite the incidents, approximately 4,000 people still head to the area each weekend.
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