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Board narrows nonresident fee authority for Gardens, approves admission‑fee change for San Franciscans
Summary
Supervisors voted 10‑1 to pass on first reading an ordinance to allow Rec and Park to waive admission for San Francisco residents at three city gardens while authorizing the department to set flexible pricing for nonresident adults with a cap; one supervisor voted no, citing concerns about discouraging visitors as the city recovers.
The Board of Supervisors voted 10‑1 March 8 to pass on first reading an ordinance that will authorize the Recreation and Park Department to waive admission for San Francisco residents at three city gardens — the Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers and the San Francisco Botanical Garden — and to allow flexible pricing for nonresident adults to help fund the change.
Supervisor Connie Chan, sponsor of the ordinance, told the board the change followed work with the budget committee and Rec and Park, and included amendments to cap nonresident price increases to a $7 cap on the master fee schedule to reduce an originally uncapped ability to raise fees. Chan said the amendment provides transparency and that initial increases could amount to as much as a 70% jump in nonresident fees in the very near term, although departments would not necessarily impose the maximum at once. She said revenues are expected to be used for capital improvements at the gardens.
Supervisor Aaron Peskin registered the single no vote, saying the measure was ill‑timed because the city is trying to encourage visitors to return to cultural attractions post‑pandemic and raised concern that higher nonresident fees could discourage visitation. Several supervisors supported the measure, noting the change would remove an access barrier for residents and veterans while creating a funding vehicle for park improvements.
The roll call was recorded as 10 ayes, 1 no (Peskin). The ordinance passed first reading and will return for final passage after the required second‑reading procedures.
Key clarifications from the hearing: Supervisor Chan said the budget committee supported limiting long‑term fee increases by capping the nonresident increase and that revenues likely will be directed to capital improvements across the three gardens. The ordinance also requires Rec and Park to begin waiving admission for veterans at the gardens.
What’s next: The ordinance will return for final adoption on second reading. The Rec and Park Department will be responsible for setting flexible pricing for nonresident adults within the cap and for implementing the resident and veteran waivers. Supervisors said they expect to monitor the impacts on visitation and revenues.
