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Heated public debate over proposed nonresident fee for SF Botanical Garden divides neighbors, unions and volunteers
Summary
Rec & Park's proposal to charge a nonresident admission fee for the San Francisco Botanical Garden prompted hours of public comment: proponents (garden staff, some donors and volunteers) say fees are needed for collection care and education; opponents (neighbors, unions, advocates) argue fees will restrict access and allege the society prioritized capital projects and lobbying over long‑term operations.
The Committee heard an extended public discussion of the Recreation & Park Department's FY2011 budget, with the Botanical Garden (Arboretum) nonresident fee the single most contested item. The department and the Botanical Garden Society presented financial projections that showed a nonresident fee could raise an estimated $250,000–$450,000 annually under one scenario; Rec & Park said that figure would offset baseline cuts and preserve gardeners and programs.
Why it matters: The Botanical Garden is a 55‑acre specialized plant collection…
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