#naprap

Yet another resident of SF has created a blog about Rec & Park. Nap Rap tells the story of Golden Gate Heights Park where erosion is "a huge problem." 

NAP (Natural Areas Program, a part of SF Rec & Park) "places the blame for erosion upon people, their social trails and access habits.  However, the surrounding neighbors of the park believe that the erosion is being exacerbated by the NAP practice of removing non-native plants and replacing them with native plants. 

The neighbors are right. Native plants are inferior to non-native plants in controlling erosion – as was evidenced by the failure of Natural Areas at Fort Ord, along Great Highway, and at Fort Funston. Ice plant is the proven solution to sandy slopes which must resist erosion. Furthermore, trees are known to prevent erosion. The NAP plan intends to remove 5 trees merely because they are non-native. For these reasons, this plan is in violation of the performance standards established in the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department’s (SFRPD) own Operational Plan. The first mandate is to protect public safety.  Public safety is not protected by implementing an inferior erosion control plan which may threaten the homes of taxpayers surrounding the lake area. 

In public meetings, neighbors have attended and warned the Recreation and Park Commission of the possible liability of the City for damage they expect to suffer. 

We and the neighbors don’t understand how NAP is allowed to proceed with these measures without approval of their plan."