
Late yesterday afternoon, a tree came crashing down on the Panhandle mixed-use path, barely missing a passing cyclist, according to multiple witnesses.
"This tree just fell on a biker in the panhandle bike path," reported tipster Matthew N. "She somehow didn't get injured."
Others took to Instagram and Twitter to post about the incident:
Tree just collapsed on bike path in panhandle between Clayton and Cole #SF #bike http://t.co/G0qrR9zSu0
— Denise (@dhjmh) February 15, 2015
#vscocam @SF311 tree fell over on Panhandle bike path near Cole Street. About 40 minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/QiispaBh9j
— Fix Masonic (@Fix_Masonic) February 15, 2015
Hey @SFist a tree fell in the panhandle some time between 12noon (I rode by) and now pic.twitter.com/3tDaJ3DKU2
— Mike Vladimer (@mikevladimer) February 15, 2015
The incident comes as complete funding for Panhandle Park improvements is still in question. Though nearby Buena Vista Park secured $100,000 for its tree maintenance program last year, the Panhandle's recent round of funding is tied to improvements like path improvements and/or better lighting and signage.
As we touched on in a recent article on the maintenance of San Francisco's urban forest, DPW budget constraints have left a crew of 10 workers responsible for managing 105,000 street trees and fielding roughly 3,700 calls a year for urgent matters like broken branches and fallen trees.
In the case of yesterday's fallen tree, it seems that the tree met a very San Francisco end.
A huge fallen tree blocking the main trail in the panhandle. A drugged out lady laying upon it, petting the branches.
— Jenni Leder (@thoughtbrain) February 15, 2015