SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Golden Gate Park kicks off its second summer of car-free Saturdays on April 5, and organizers are hoping for a quieter season compared with the controversy that surrounded the plan’s inception in 2007.

Through Sept. 27, John F. Kennedy Drive will be closed to cars between 10th Avenue and Transverse Drive, as will Middle Drive West from Transverse to Metson Road and Stow Lake Drive between Stow Lake Drive East and JFK. The park is already closed to motor vehicles on Sundays.

Efforts to launch the car-free Saturday plan last year, dubbed Healthy Saturdays, caused major battles between the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Mayor Gavin Newsom and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. A compromise led to the season kicking off a little later, in mid-May 2007.

Those involved also agreed not to debate the issue again for five years, according to Andrew Thornley, program manager with the bicycle coalition.

Newsom’s spokesman said he expected the second year of car-free Saturdays to go smoothly.

“Healthy Saturdays is intended to stimulate park usage, increase recreational opportunities and attract visitors,” said Nathan Ballard, spokesman for Newsom.

bwinegarner@examiner.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

7:06 AM MST on Mon., May. 5, 2008 re: "In-line skating event concerns roll forth"

Examiner Reader said:
Mr Miles (the founder of the California Outdoor Rollerskating Association) has been into his own self agrandisment for many years, all in the claim of what **HE** does for inline skating. Now his true colors show. A significant event that is not under his control is planned and he is saying how evil it is. If he was running it, there would be press releases (like his usual) extoling the virture of HIS work.

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8:47 PM MST on Sun., Apr. 6, 2008 re: "Planting meters may save jobs"

Examiner Reader said:
No meters in the park! Can't we preserve at least one place in SF where time doesn't equal money, where we don't have to watch the clock and can just relax for a while?

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12:19 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 5, 2008 re: "Planting meters may save jobs"

On the Q.T. said:
Regarding Meters in Golden Gate Park: It's predicted that the meters in G.G. Park will generate $250,000. What would be easier? Digging all those holes and nickel and diming families, or cutting $250,000 in the City's wasteful overtime spending?

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8:17 AM MST on Sun., Mar. 23, 2008 re: "Car-free Saturdays near"

Examiner Reader said:
Those involved also agreed not to debate the issue again for five years, according to Andrew Thornley, program manager with the bicycle coalition. Andy, I assume you have now stopped smoking, or at least while you are enjoy Healthy Saturdays in the park right? Oh wait, smoking is already not allowed in the park...you will have to use a patch if you plan to enjoy your Saturdays riding in GG park.

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12:47 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 21, 2008 re: "Car-free Saturdays near"

Examiner Reader said:
This city is heading in the wrong direction when a small vocal group of people can dictate their needs over others. I live near the park and every Sunday I deal with the lack of parking in my neighborhood because of the park closure on Sunday. But that was okay because it only happened on one day of the weekend. It seemed fair. Those wanting to drive into the park with their children, picnic supplies, etc could do so on Saturday. Well I guess that's gone. Thanks for being greedy and assuming your way is the "right" way. And we should all bend to it. Just think about it. Why is one way (closing both days) fair?

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4:14 AM MST on Wed., Mar. 12, 2008 re: "Alleged embezzlement may cost ex-CFO house"

Examiner Reader said:
is that ALL he may lose??

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6:51 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 7, 2008 re: "Music fest to rock Polo Fields"

Examiner Reader said:
I also live across the street from the park, 10 minutes on foot from Speedway Meadow,and I also am hearing for the first time about the concert. Depending on wind direction, persistent noise from events is disturbing, definitely NOT "inaudible." Worse, though, the neighborhood traffic and bad behavior is terrible: exactly as the previous poster describes. If people behave so badly in the day, what are they going to be like at night?!? And parking is a serious issue. If the concerts don't end until 10pm, residents can't even go out for the day to avoid them, because there will be no place to park when we come back. I enjoy events in the park, but the bigger they get, the worse they get.

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11:38 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 7, 2008 re: "Music fest to rock Polo Fields"

Examiner Reader said:
I live across the street from the park in the vicinity of the Polo Fields and this is the first I've heard of any concert. I certainly was not part of any "outreach" if there was any. When these events take place the people who live nearby are subjected to noise, trash and property destruction. People scream and yell coming and going, throw crap on the street and trample lawns and flowers; after one of these events a newly planted (and expensive) tree was vandalized beyond saving. You can't go anywhere in your car because you will have no place to park upon your return. They will say they contacted neighborhood organizations and got their blessing but the majority of residents on both sides of the park do not belong to them. Is the PAR getting something out of this because the residents of the neighborhood certainly are not.

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