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| SF Zoo's Science Interpretive Center "pop-up" |
Greetings Surfriders,
If you haven't signed our new petition yet, please do. Also, you can help the campaign by sharing this with your network.
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By now you may have noticed a new structure built on top of the berm across from the north parking lot. We placed some calls and found out the buildings are a temporary science/learning center for children's programs at the San Francisco Zoo.
During the Ocean Beach Master Plan process, both the San Francisco Zoo and San Francisco Recreation and Park had representation on the Steering Committee (Executive Level). These two agencies also were represented on the Planning Advisory Committee level (which comprised of community / non-profit representatives). At no time did we hear of the Zoo's intention to run their own science interpretive center on that area of the berm.
The Ocean Beach Master Plan instead recommended the conversion of the Fleishhaker pool house into a free public warming hut / interpretive science center. We fully supported this concept. However, the pool house burned down not long after the release of the OMBP.
Surfrider still fully supports the Master Plan idea of a public warming hut / interpretive center in the area occupied by the pool house. The Zoo's private new structures conflict with this goal.
The good news is that there is time to fix this issue. The buildings appear to be pre-fab. and easily removed.
We urge SF Zoo, Rec. and Park, SPUR and all other entities involved in the Ocean Beach Master Plan to come together, have an open discussion and let the public weigh in on this issue.
