The Treasure Island Development Authority board on Jan. 8 voted to forward a resolution recommending that the Recreation and Park Department and the Board of Supervisors amend the San Francisco park code to apply specified park regulations to parks and open spaces on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island.

Peter Somerville of TIDA staff told the board the change would "extend the park code to properties owned and managed by the Recreation and Park Department and to include under that the TIYBI parks," clarifying that the action would not reassign ownership: "What it does not do is define TIYBI spaces as a park under the jurisdiction and control of the Recreation and Park Commission within the meaning of San Francisco Charter Section 4.113, and it does not remove ownership or jurisdiction over the TIYBI parks and open space from the authority."

Why it matters: staff said adopting the existing San Francisco park code for TI/YBI parks would create consistent time, place and manner rules for island parks, align the island’s parks with citywide best practices, and avoid public confusion about permitted conduct. Staff recommended applying Articles 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the park code; Article 7 (the Recreation and Park permitting process for events, film and photos) would not apply at this time and TIDA’s special‑events staff would retain event permitting roles for the immediate future.

Board concerns and protections: several directors pressed staff to ensure TIDA retains operational control over commercial events and the ability to set special rules for specific parks, such as different hours of operation or activity restrictions at Panorama Park. Director Linda Richardson said she wanted to “make sure that, we, meaning the Treasure Island Development Authority, maintains the decision making on the specific policies which govern power parks and open space. ... I think it's the commercial, revenues, the potential of commercial revenues for non profit or for conservancy that is important.”

Staff response and vote: Somerville and Director Bob Beck said the code extension is primarily a rules‑and‑regulations overlay and would not change current TIDA leasing, event or revenue arrangements. Somerville said the city attorney and Rec and Park have been consulted and that Rec and Park expects to introduce a sponsor ordinance to the Board of Supervisors in early 2025. The board motion to recommend the ordinance was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote; the chair announced, “the ayes have it.”

What changes and what stays the same: staff explained that the proposed amendment specifically adds TI/YBI parks to Section 2.01 and amends Section 3.2.1 to allow traversal of parks outside designated park areas where necessary (for example, permitting passage to a residence after hours). The board asked staff to work with the city attorney to ensure TIDA can request targeted code amendments later if needed, and staff said TIDA could pursue its own legislative route if an impasse arose in the future.

Next steps: if the board’s resolution is transmitted, Rec and Park will finalize the ordinance for introduction to the Board of Supervisors; TIDA staff said it will follow up with the city attorney on the board’s concerns about hours, commercial events and enforcement and return with clarification as the ordinance proceeds through the legislative process.