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Supervisor Avalos seeks long‑term plan to shift Sharp Park from golf to trail‑based park in partnership with National Park Service
Summary
Supervisor Avalos introduced legislation requesting the Recreation and Park Department negotiate a long-term management agreement with the National Park Service and develop a finance roadmap to address endangered species and infrastructure at Sharp Park, without calling for immediate conversion.
Supervisor John Avalos on Tuesday introduced a drafting request asking the city to pursue a long‑term management agreement with the National Park Service (NPS) for Sharp Park, and to develop a financial roadmap to address urgent environmental and infrastructure needs. The measure directs Recreation and Park staff to study transitioning recreation at Sharp Park from a golf course to a trail‑based public park emphasizing habitat protection and recreation compatible with endangered species management.
Avalos told the Board that Sharp Park, located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area boundary, hosts two federal endangered species — the California red‑legged frog and the San Francisco garter snake — and that current golf course operations have raised long‑standing concerns about habitat impacts. He said the legislation does not call for an immediate conversion but would create a process and roadmap for partnership with NPS, including assessment of financing options and community engagement. "This ordinance . . . does not call for the immediate conversion of Sharp Park, but rather, a plan, a road map to look at how we can make conversion a reality, with good partnership with the National Park Service," Avalos said.
Avalos said he has reached out to stakeholders in Pacifica and San Mateo County and that the ordinance will be introduced under the 30‑day rule. He acknowledged that proposals to reconfigure Sharp Park have been controversial in the past and signaled the measure is intended to start a structured planning and partnership process rather than enact an immediate policy change.
No vote was taken on the drafting request at the meeting; Avalos said he would pursue drafting and outreach with relevant local and federal partners. The Board did not take action to transfer the site or change operating authority during the session.
Background: Sharp Park is within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and has been the subject of prior environmental and management debates related to endangered species protections and recreational use. The proposal as described would initiate process steps to evaluate alternatives, financing and potential partnership arrangements with the National Park Service.
