Fed up with "festering" puddles of urine, feces, vomit and more, a 31-year-old skater made a video this weekend documenting the problem and the measures he's personally taking to fix it.
According to the video by skate park regular Travis Knapp-Prasek, he's sent multiple 311 requests for clean-up of the northwest corner of the park, which is used by many as a public restroom. But beyond clearing graffiti from the space, Public Works cleaning crews have not responded. In the meantime, he's got a bucket of soapy water, a mop and signs urging people to do their business elsewhere.
Sanitation problems are nothing new for SoMa West Skate Park, SFist notes. Neighbors and skaters have been complaining to the city about the lack of restrooms onsite since Public Works opened the park in 2014. But Public Works spokesperson Rachel Gordon told SFist that neighborhood groups' efforts to place restrooms in the area fell through due to "a concern the restrooms would attract nuisances."
With Public Work's Pit Stop program expected to undergo a citywide expansion this year—and data pointing toward Western SoMa as an area with the greatest need—there may soon be fresh funding to fight for if neighbors change their minds.
