Parklife: Could the Park Be Safer?

We're all familiar with the, ahem, dangers of the play yard at recess. It seems that the atmosphere lately at Koret Children's Playground in Golden Gate Park goes somewhat above and beyond.

We heard this weekend from a local mother of three who was expressing what seems to be a growing concern about the safety of public spaces for children in the neighborhood. This is a legitimate concern, especially in light of what happened last week when a woman kicked a toddler at random. As follows:

I have three children ages 3, 8 months and 8 months (twins). We have recently felt an uptick in the aggression and creepiness of the homeless population. Frankly, I am concerned at times for the safety of my children. As I'm sure you know, there was the recent incident at Children's Playground where a woman kicked a 1-year old in the chest. The very next day, my nanny was at the playground with my twins and a strange man offered to "help" her as he attempted to take on of my babies out of a swing. He said he likes to come to the park to help mothers. He had no child with him. She got a very creepy vibe and left immediately. We had her report the suspicious person to the police. The next day she was at the park again and saw the same man (dressed in the same clothes) getting arrested. We do not know what for. The walk to the playground through the homeless camps on Stanyan and Haight is also a bit treacherous with the dogs and disorderly people. We love the neighborhood and the amenities surrounding it. But I just wish there was a way to feel a little safer. Children's playground is wonderful but it would be great to have a fence around it, or at least have a fenced-in toddler area. How can we go about asking for these types of park improvements for our neighborhood? Also, we frequent the panhandle park and it is in sad shape. It could really use a remodel as well. I am not sure if you know the answer on how to push for these improvements.

So we're fielding it to you, dear readers. What's your sense of the park? How do you manage having kids and taking them to the park? Could the police do more, and what?