San Francisco Supervisor Alan Wong is doubling down on efforts to revise the layout of the Great Highway, proposing a ballot measure to reopen the now pedestrian-centered Sunset Dunes to weekday traffic. According to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, Wong's initiative aims to allow cars back onto the strip during weekdays while maintaining its status as a park on weekends. The decision has not been met with universal praise, sparking vocal pushback at a town hall meeting, especially from residents who have come to appreciate the transformed space as a safe haven for communal activities and recreation.
While Wong has stated he values the Great Highway's role in facilitating transportation for essential activities, such as getting children to school and accessing the Veterans Affairs hospital, he has come under fire from community members who view the coastal park as more than just an asphalt stretch. "The social aspects, the community aspects, that’s something that does reach my heart," Wong said at a recent town hall meeting, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, acknowledging the emotional weight of the public's testimonies. His resolution, however, tilts towards repurposing the roadway, causing supporters of the park to voice their displeasure through boos and heckles.
Wong has cited data suggesting that traffic rerouted from the closed Great Highway has congested neighboring streets and intersections, resulting in an increase in traffic injuries. However, opponents, such as Lucas Lux, president of Friends of the Sunset Dunes, contest Wong's interpretation of the data and call the ballot measure a political stunt. Lux’s disapproval echoes the opinions of many who attended the town hall hosted by the pro-park advocacy group, where Wong faced a largely critical crowd, as described by SFGATE.
During the town hall, community members highlighted the benefits of Sunset Dunes, emphasizing its value as a safe and flat area for children to skateboard or ride bikes, as well as its accessibility for older residents and those with mobility challenges. "Every day we’re seeing more and more elders walking outside together," shared Jamae Tasker, director of Sunset Cooperative Nursery School, in a statement obtained by SFGATE. The debate signals a district divided, where the reappraisal of a park, once a thoroughfare, has called into question the very fabric that weaves a community together. With Wong needing the support of at least three other supervisors to put his measure on the ballot, the fate of the Great Highway hangs in the balance.
