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Rec & Park seeks flexible pricing at marquee sites; supervisors ask for notice and safeguards
Summary
The Recreation and Park Department proposed flexible pricing for Marina Yacht Harbor guest docking and specialty attractions and a $1 surcharge on nonresident Japanese Tea Garden admissions to fund the Pagoda restoration; supervisors and public commenters requested a 60-day notice for increases and clearer parameters to protect tourists and neighbors.
The Recreation and Park Department asked the Budget and Finance Committee for authority to adopt flexible pricing at Marina Yacht Harbor docking and at specialty attractions — Coit Tower, the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden and the Botanical Garden — and separately sought a $1 nonresident surcharge at the Japanese Tea Garden to fund ongoing Pagoda restoration.
Derek Chu, RP Finance Director, said flexible pricing would allow managers to raise prices by up to 50% or lower them by up to 25% for nonresident adult fees to encourage visits at off-peak times and to reduce neighborhood impacts. "This applies to short term stays, 30 days or less," Chu said of the Marina docking change.
Public testimony included opposition from John Golinger of Protect Coit Tower, who called the proposed language too broad and warned it could produce sudden, opaque fee increases for major attractions. He urged a public-notice requirement and parameters around how and when prices can change.
Supervisors and staff discussed safeguards. The department signaled openness to an amendment requiring a minimum 60 days' notice for price increases within approved ranges while retaining the ability to lower prices on shorter notice to encourage off-peak attendance. Chair Feuer and other supervisors sought an annual report on collections and asked staff to return with refined language.
The committee agreed to move item 10 forward with a positive recommendation and to continue items 11 and 12 for further refinement and an amendment to add a notice requirement.
Next steps: Rec & Park will work with supervisors on precise amendment language (including a 60-day notice for increases) and will return to the committee at the continuation date.
