Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Accessibility

Golden Gate Park Detours the Disabled to Avoid Driver Delay

Note: GJEL Accident Attorneys regularly sponsors coverage on Streetsblog San Francisco and Streetsblog California. Unless noted in the story, GJEL Accident Attorneys is not consulted for the content or editorial direction of the sponsored content.

Advocates for safe streets are calling out the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department for blocking disabled ramps and an accessway in Golden Gate Park that connects across Music Concourse Drive and Bowl Drive.

As explained in this Twitter post, the culprit is the generator that powers the park's Ferris wheel:

"Looking at Google maps, the way they placed it, it seems like they didn't really think it through," said Pi Ra, Transit Justice Director with Senior and Disability Action, in an interview with Streetsblog. As seen in the satellite view below, the generator, placed between the two zebra-stripe crosswalks, completely blocks a pedestrian route from the J.F.K. Promenade to the Music Concourse and museums:

A bird's eye view of the generator, the white box, blocking the crosswalk and ADA access. Image: Google maps
A bird's eye view of the generator, the white box near the top, just left of center, blocking the crosswalk and ADA access between Music Concourse Drive and Bowl Drive. Image: Google maps
false

Technically, blocking these ramps is legal because, as shown in the lead image and below, there's a detour. "There is an alternate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible crosswalk about 200 feet south of the closed crosswalk, just at Bowl and Music Concourse drives," wrote Daniel Montes, Rec and Park communications manager, in an email to Streetsblog. "The placement was ultimately chosen as it met specific criteria, including maintaining the minimum 20-foot distance between the generator and any structures, per San Francisco Fire Department requirements. Also, the location reduces impact to the landscaping and its visibility since placing the generator on the lawn would block irrigation."

Montes also provided a photo of the alternate route:

The alternate route around the Ferris wheel. Photo: Park and Rec
The alternate route around the Ferris wheel. Photo: Park and Rec
false

"The site has been reviewed and approved by the Mayor’s Office of Disability," he added.

That may be so, but advocates for the disabled describe this as ticking the ADA checkbox instead of truly considering the needs of the park's most vulnerable visitors.

"I know that when I worked on the 'Getting to the Curb' Report with Walk SF, we recommended that the City should provide ramps along curbside bike lanes (with floating parking) at least every 100 feet. So having to travel 200 feet sounds burdensome to me," wrote Cathy DeLuca, a transportation consultant and advocate for seniors and the disabled.

Note that's 200 feet to the alternate crosswalk and 200 feet to get back.

In Streetsblog's view, there's a reason that ramp and route is there. For an able-bodied person, a potentially 400-foot round-trip diversion may not be a big deal, but for someone who struggles with mobility issues, every extra foot can be a burden. Streetsblog also chaffed at one of the reasons given for placing the generator there: "The location helps reduce people crossing at Bowl Drive, eliminating concerns about congestion and vehicle traffic," wrote Montes.

So, basically, the city approved diverting people in wheel chairs to reduce delays to motorists. Forcing people in wheel chairs to detour for the sake of saving some grass or to avoid a minor inconvenience to drivers seems inappropriate and callous.

If they didn't want to kill some grass, it's perfectly possible to put the generator on Bowl or another of the roadways, detouring motorists instead of people in wheel chairs. Motorists also have the option of using the tunnels under the Music Concourse at Fulton and MLK to access the area.

Instead, the park put all the burden on people who need wheelchair ramps to get around. "Bottom line, it's accessible, but it's not practical," said Pi Ra. "Too much of the city goes by the ADA law, which is a minimum. We can do better than that."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Tuesday’s Headlines

Feds grant $45M for bike and ped projects; Where transit grew in 2024; Newsom pumps HSR; Newly redesigned SacRT station opens in Folsom; More

January 7, 2025

Commentary: Why do Leaders Only React to Traffic Violence When it Comes from Terrorists?

As horrible as they were, it's important to have perspective about the attacks in Magdeburg and New Orleans

January 7, 2025

Monday’s Headlines

How the railroad shaped CA agriculture; A-line from Azusa to Pomona set to open in summer; SMART bike path paving is complete but not open yet; More

January 6, 2025

OPINION: Vision Zero Begins with Drivers Simply Sharing the Road

No one person or mode of transportation has monopolistic rights to the road. But drivers think they do.

January 6, 2025

Friday’s Headlines

Quiet (??) shift in administrator of e-bike incentive program; Saltzman's 12 years on the BART board; How to make progress on transit during a Trump administration; More

January 3, 2025
See all posts