OCII adopts park rules for Candlestick Point and Hunters Point Shipyard parks

The Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure on May 16 adopted general park rules for parks at Candlestick Point and the Hunters Point Shipyard, clearing the way for the first parks to open this summer and for the developer to transfer management to OCII later in the year.

OCII Interim Director and staff recommended rules that list prohibited activities (littering, dumping, graffiti, smoking, camping, motorized vehicles except devices to assist people with disabilities) and set designated-area restrictions on off-leash pets, bicycling, skateboarding, boat launching and open-flame barbecues. The rules also require permits for alcohol, amplified sound and posting signs, and establish a typical park schedule of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

"These parks are approaching being complete and ready for operation," Jonathan Plowman, a development specialist working on the Hunters Point Shipyard and Candlestick projects, told the commission. "Park rules are one element of the operation," he said, emphasizing that signage and flexible enforcement approaches were developed after review at the citizen advisory committee.

The commission heard public comment urging local hiring and technology access. Oscar James, who identified himself as a native resident of Bayview Hunters Point, urged that maintenance contracts employ people from the neighborhood so "they have more concern about their communities" and can benefit economically from jobs. Chester Williams of the Community Living Campaign asked OCII and developers to plan now for Wi‑Fi and other digital infrastructure so residents can use tablets and other devices in the parks.

Commissioners pressed staff on naming, permitting and security. Staff said the parks maintenance request-for-proposals will include goals for Small Business Enterprise participation (targeting 50% of contract dollars) and local-hire (targeting 50% of hours worked) and that security will be jointly handled by the police department and the developer-contracted security entity until OCII assumes management. On new technologies such as drones, staff said the rules currently do not mention drones specifically and that the policy will be revisited as needed.

The commission voted unanimously to adopt the rules. Staff noted next steps: Lennar, the developer, expects to open the first four parks in summer; OCII will issue an RFP for a parks management contract and expects to select an operator in summer or fall; Lennar plans to transfer parks management to OCII in the fall.

The adopted rules and the upcoming RFP aim to balance consistent citywide expectations with park-specific signage and enforcement tailored to individual park circumstances.