This month: Greg and Wes, playing basketball at Mission Playground/Rec Center on July 31st. Interview and photo by NPC volunteer Joyce Pedersen.
Mission Playground is on 19th and Linda Street, in the Mission. The park offers picnic tables, a children’s playground, basketball, soccer and tennis courts, a club house, as well as an outdoor pool.
Greg: I like the basketball courts. I’ve played all over the city. Mission Playground has the best ball players around. We are here to play ball.
Wes: Dolores Park has courts, but they are crowded and it’s windy. Mission Playground has the best micro climate, the best weather. And people come here and take our picture, like you!
How often do you come to this park?
It’s a regular group of guys.
Do you have any suggestions for enhancements?
Greg: No, I wouldn’t change anything–it’s perfect. Do you know about the music room in the back of the park? A group of guys are working to get a recording area in the back of the building. You should check it out.
Wes: No. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
***NOTE: Even though Greg and Wes might not agree that Mission Playground needs an upgrade, it is in fact due for a complete renovation, thanks to funding from the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond. The project scope will include the repair and/or renovation of the courts, play area, and clubhouse; restoration of existing roads and pathways;
upgrades to the pool equipment, irrigation and lighting; modifications to the site to remove barriers and improve accessibility, and overall
reconditioning of the park landscape.
Read the project status report here.
The 2nd community meeting was recently held on July 29th, and construction is scheduled to begin in early 2010. For more information about the project, please contact Rec and Park Project Manager Meghan Tiernan (Meghan.Tiernan@sfgov.org)
