Great Highway in San Francisco officially closed to vehicular traffic

Great Highway closed in San Francisco in controversial move

Park rangers closed the gate to the Great Highway Friday morning and park supporters hope they don't open again.

SAN FRANCISCO - A controversial park on San Francisco's west side took another step closer to being a reality.

Park rangers closed the gate to traffic on the Great Highway on Friday morning and park supporters hope they don't open again.

At 5 a.m. Friday morning, San Francisco park rangers closed the gate to the Great Highway for what may be the last time. Voters in November approved Proposition K, aimed at transforming two miles of the Great Highway into a park.

With the closure of the gates, that park is one step closer to reality.

"It's something that's going to take a lot of work to get to the future park that we all dream of," said park supporter, Lucas Lux. "But, today is day one, and we should be proud of that."

Opponents to the park say they've filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking it, saying park supporters overstepped the authority of the state to determine how roads are used, and say the park plans don't address environmental concerns.

Plaintiff Matt Boschetto said today's closure won't stop efforts to block the park.

"It's certainly long from over," said Boschetto. "Again, I think we have a great case, and hopefully we see it through court and get justice served there."

By midday Friday afternoon, work was already underway on Lincoln and the Great Highway, where SFMTA crews were busy re-striping the road and installing signs saying the Great Highway was closed. The Recreation and Parks Department said plans are underway to begin work to open the park next month.

"Rec and Parks will be adding seating, recreation areas," said Tamara Barak Aparton from the Recreation and Parks Department. "Signage. All the things that parks need."

On the first day of the closure, pedestrians began walking up and down the highway. Paul Greer said he enjoyed his stroll and is looking forward to the park officially opening.

"It's a safe place to take your family," said Greer. "I'm thrilled about it. I can't wait to enjoy it for many more hours to take the kids out. I have a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old and I think it's going to be great for the community."

Stephen Gorski lives across the street from the proposed park, and is among those calling for the recall of District Supervisor Joel Engardio over his support of it.

He said the park will push more traffic into the neighborhood, and is out of step with what people on the west side want.

"People on the other side of town don't realize the impact here," said Gorski. "How would you like it if we just decided to close a major thoroughfare? Like Lombard, say 'no, no, we're just going to close this now, figure it out.' It's the same thing. If they can do it here, they can do it anywhere."

For now, lawsuit withstanding, the Rec and Parks department is looking to have a ribbon cutting for the park in mid-April.

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