kiting at Ocean Beach

[Scotty]

Andre,

Thx.......I hope to get that info from you soon. Just depends on how some of us want to approach the situation. Dealing with the feds can be a daunting task on many frontiers. But always worth a go......

[Bulldog]

What's the deal with bathrooms at OB, anyway? It's not like kiters are the only people using the beach, yet there's not a single portapotty in the entire stretch between the Cliff house and the Chalet. I think it's pretty shocking for them not to provide some facilities.

They have tons of signage about swimming in the water, so I don't see why they would have any objections to putting up a few signs about kite safety. The feds must be aware that the beach is a popular kite spot.

[Scotty]

When you read the paper, what is the first budget item to get axed federal money? Ususally the National Park Service. If they could figure out some sort of revenue generating bathroom facility, I am sure they would be all for it. As far as spending money, they are pretty tight. It has taken them off and on about a year (and they still aren't done) to finish repairing the sea wall from all the exposed rebar. The only reason they started up again is because "Chronicle Watch" is getting on their case.

Signage, I am sure, will have to come from some sort of public donation of sorts.

scotty

[jla]

If they can put effort into Chrissy Field they could make Ocean Beach nice. Part of the reason there is crime down in the parking lot is because it looks run down. Read "The Tipping Point", the NY subway as a reference. When they fixed up the subway, crime went down. The beach is becoming more popular evidenced by the gazilian people that showed up yesterday on the 4th. Every time it heats up inland the suburbians flock there. Tourbuses bring loads of people every weekend to take photos and get their feet wet. It should be presented as a SF treasure/landmark like most of the other attractions in SF and should be fixed up with showers, toilets and driveable grass parking lots (like at Chrissy) that would solve the sand control problem. Every time it is windy the great highway has to shut down because the sand just blows onto the concrete. I don't see why more effort isn't put into it. They put in benches but then tore up all the ice plant so now there are only dirt basins.

Andre, Please send me the contacts as I am very eager to join in any discussions that would lead to improvements down at the beach.

[average_male]

I went to Ocean Beach for the first time earlier this year. I was so surprised to see the lack of attention that beach has received. Something really needs to be done. I agree with the writings/research from The Tipping Point, the city planners want it to get much worse before they need to make it better. Sad but thats how it works by default with the city folks. Its an amazing peace of real estate and should be up-kept as such.

The should reconsider public hangings for those that destroy/deface public property.

[Scotty]

They have made some efforts to clean up the beach by banning open fires. They attempted this last year, and everyone was appalled that they would consider this. After much public crying, the ban was lifted and the trash ensued as usual. Some of the fires are burned by surfers, windsurfers etc. and cleaned up by them as well. While, most of those open fires bring the wrong people and lot's of trash. At least "burning man" people got involved and they were able to provide some fire rings, but yet, the trash and fires continue.

I am with you a 100% in the effort to make OB nicer. Even it is a small effort like the one down @ Sloat where you have a bathroom and a shower. I am sick of the glass, burnt out mattresses, and trash I continually pick up.

Scott

[Thor]

Yup, I saw the same guy flying a green and orange Naish, on the beach, on the 4th of July, with tons of people around. I hope he listened.

[jla]

You're joking, right?