Virtual Diamond Heights Community Association Community Meeting
April 17, 6:30 to 8:30 on Zoom. Save the Date!
Please come to discuss our neighborhood priorities!

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman will be joining us to discuss improvements for Diamond Heights, the DHCA Accomplishments for 2022 and volunteer needs to increase the impact of our Association.
We will be presenting our first Neighborhood Hero award to Mike Davis. Mike has volunteered hours each week to keep our Diamond Heights Blvd. median islands looking attractive and well maintained. Thank you, Mike! 
Please distribute this message to your email lists and please post the flyer included below.
Please reply or email us at dhcasf@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link for the meeting.
 A list our DHCA priorities will be provided in a DHCA Announcement closer to the meeting date.

 Please attend to share your ideas for improving Diamond Heights!  

Diamond Heights Blvd. Median Project Workday
Saturday, March 18, 9:00 am  – 12 noon
Join us to pick up trash and maintain the medians in Diamond Heights!

Thank you to volunteer Mike Davis! Mike has been trimming all the grass and weeds on the medians. Mike has been keeping up with all the growth due to the rains but we need more volunteers to do upkeep on such a large area. All the maintenance of the medians from Duncan (at St. Nicholas Church) to Berkeley Way is done by volunteers.   Please come out and help us!

Date: Saturday, March 18
Time: 9:00 am to 12 noon – Join us for even an hour or two. 
Location: Meet at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church on DH Blvd. at Gold Mine Dr. next to Safeway.
Work: Pull weeds and pick up trash on the median islands. 
No gardening experience required. Tools and safety jackets will be provided. Bathrooms available.
Recommended for ages 12 and above.

Please reply to let us know if you plan to help out. Future Work Days will be the Third Saturday of the month: April 15, May 20 and on into 2023.

Help Keep our Median Islands Attractive!

San Francisco Redistricting Task Force Meeting for District 8 Friday, March 18, 3 pm
Opportunity to Provide Input on Keeping Diamond Heights in Supervisor Mandelman’s District 8

Message from Patrick Carroll, DHCA Board Member:
Time for Redistricting! This is done every 10 years using Census data to insure that everyone has equal representation by making certain that each San Francisco supervisorial district has approximately the same number of people.

On March 18 at 3 pm the San Francisco Redistricting Task Force will consider redrawing the borders of District 8.

We want to insure that Diamond Heights stays in District 8. Some of the proposals move all or a part of our community into District 7 which The Diamond Heights Community Association Board opposes. Please join us in person at City Hall, Room 416 or online here:
https://bit.ly/3vSVFFF
PASSWORD: comment

Hope you can make it!

Additional information:
The current map being considered by the Task Force has Diamond Heights in District 8.
Info for Meeting on March 18 at 3 pm – see link above.
PUBLIC COMMENT CALL-IN**
Please dial: 1 (415) 655-0001
Meeting ID: 2486 843 4378 # #
(Press *3 to enter the speaker line)
**Participants joining remotely can also raise their hand in the Webex meeting to be added to the queue.

In-Person Meeting Location – Remember to bring a mask!
City Hall, Room 416
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102

Assembly District 17 Virtual Candidates Forum January 13th, 7:15 pm

Meet the candidates vying to replace David Chiu to represent State Assembly District 17 on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at a virtual meeting hosted by the Glen Park Association, Upper Noe Neighbors and the Diamond Heights Community Association The Special Election for Assembly District 17 is scheduled for February 15th, 2022. At 7:15 p.m. on January 13th, you’ll meet:David Campos, chief of staff for District Attorney Chesa Boudin, former SF District Supervisor (D9)Matt Haney, SF District Supervisor (D6), former SF School Board CommissionerBilal Mahmood, neuroscientist, policy analyst in the Obama administrationThea Selby, City College trustee, former City College board president Questions sent in advance to any of the hosting organizations will be prioritized: info@glenparkassociation.org info@uppernoeneighbors.com dhcasf@gmail.com

Register for the January 2022 meeting here  Thank you to the Glen Park Association for providing the link to register for the Candidates Forum on Jan. 13th. For more more information on the special election on February 15th, go to sfgov.org/elections Happy Holidays!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

LONDON N. BREEDMAYOR

MAYOR LONDON BREED ANNOUNCES REOPENING OF

REMODELED GEORGE CHRISTOPHER PLAYGROUND

Kids welcome new play equipment and nature exploration area in the Diamond Heights park
following renovation.

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today announced the reopening of the newly
renovated George Christopher Playground in Diamond Heights. Mayor Breed was joined by
Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, the Recreation and Park Department, Public Works, and kids
from Noe Valley Nursery School and Eureka Valley Arts to cut the ribbon on the $5.2 million
renovation of the site, located above the northeastern rim of Glen Canyon.

The new play area at George Christopher Playground features structures for both big and
little kids and includes swings, a whirl, and an imagination garden with a bridge, playhouse,
and stepping stones. A dry riverbed nature exploration area supports imaginative play. New
safety surfacing has also been installed.

“Safe, engaging playgrounds and accessible parks are essential for the health of our
children and our communities,” said Mayor Breed. “We’re investing in our children, families
and seniors by updating neighborhood gems like George Christopher Playground so they can
continue to shine. Thanks to the support of so many neighbors and organizations over the
years, this community now has a wonderful new space to enjoy.”

The renovation of the beloved 6.8-acre park also includes improvements to its pathways,
landscaping, lighting, drainage, and irrigation systems. An improved design focuses on safety
and connection of the park’s elements. A small amphitheater has been transformed into an
accessible plaza with views of the playground. Fencing has been expanded around the east
side of the clubhouse, which houses Noe Valley Nursery School. The clubhouse restrooms
have been reconfigured to a new single user accessible restroom, a gender-neutral, multi-user
restroom has been made more accessible, and a ramp has been installed from the playground
to the outside restroom.

Steps from the updated playground, two pieces of mid-century play equipment have been
preserved as a climbable modernist sculpture garden. Concrete Saddle Slide by sculptor
Jim Miller-Melberg and metal Pleasure Dome by sculptor David Aaron were part of the
playground when it opened in 1971 and are examples of the experimental Creative Play Design
movement of the 1950s and 60s. A third piece in the garden is a replica of Miller-Melberg’s
concrete sculpture Playwall.

1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE, ROOM 200 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94102-4681 TELEPHONE: (415) 554-6141

Christopher Park Playground Opens After Remodel Link:

https://www.glenparkassociation.org/christopher-park-playground-opens-after-remodel/
 
By Brynna McNulty, Friends of Christopher Park

APRIL 29, 2021 BY BRYNNA MCNULTY, FRIENDS OF CHRISTOPHER PARK

George Christopher Playground in Diamond Heights has reopened after a near
two-year, $5.2 million renovation and park improvement project. The 6.8 acre park
is tucked between the Diamond Heights Shopping Center and the northeastern rim
of Glen Canyon. The park improvements include a new playground, resurfaced
pathways, lighting, drainage, and irrigation systems. The clubhouse restrooms
have been reconfigured into a new single user accessible restroom and a gender
neutral multi-user restroom.

The project, which broke ground in late 2019, was shaped by feedback gathered
through neighborhood meetings, community surveys, electronic voting, and
outreach at the “Where in the World is Christopher Park? Festival,”
a free community event to raise awareness for this park.

With improved accessibility and visual connection between spaces as guiding
design goals, the park amphitheater has been transformed into an accessible
plaza with views of the playground, and a ramp to connect the playground to
the new accessible restroom. Pathways connecting the Little Red Hen Community
Garden and Christopher Park have been resurfaced. The tennis court will be
resurfaced and new lighting installed as a future project phase.

The renovated playground features play areas for both big and little kids and
includes swings, climbing structures, a whirl, and an “Imagination Garden,” a
concept developed by landscape architect Jasmine Kaw, who led the SF Public
Works design team for this project. Nature-based play enthusiasts from the Noe
Valley Nursery School, located in the Christopher Park Clubhouse, asked Rec and
Park to draw upon the natural surroundings of Glen Canyon in the new playground
design.

This was a fit for Kaw, who is a member of San Francisco Children and Nature, a
citywide collaborative working to expand opportunities for nature connection in
parks, schools, and neighborhoods. Kaw explains,

“We were excited to integrate a nature exploration area within the playground
footprint, with child friendly plants, a dry riverbed, logs, tree stumps and loose
natural parts to encourage imaginative play, especially for the younger age set.
This is a first for a city park where a large natural play space is directly adjacent
to two structured play areas, giving children more play choices.”

Community advocacy created an additional opportunity for creativity in Kaw’s
design, when members of Friends of Christopher Park requested the preservation
of three beloved play structures. This request came as the SF Planning Department
completed design plan review and environmental impact analysis for the project.
The Planning Department took an interest in the original playground and
amphitheater, in part because its 1961 schematic design was by one of California’s
foremost modernist landscape architects, Robert Royston.

Steps from the updated playground, two pieces of mid-century play equipment have
been preserved as a climbable modernist sculpture garden. Concrete Saddle Slide 
by sculptor Jim Miller-Melberg and metal Pleasure Dome by sculptor David Aaron
were part of the playground when it opened in 1971 and are examples of the
experimental Creative Play Design movement of the 1950s and 60s. A third piece
in the garden is a replica of Miller-Melberg’s concrete sculpture Playwall.

The Planning Department completed a thorough review of the architectural
significance of the playground, which included the playground structures
community members were asking Kaw to save.

Friends of Christopher Park researched these artists and were fascinated to learn
that their “play sculptures” were part of the experimental Creative Play Design
movement of the 1950s and 60s. This information laid the groundwork for
community advocacy to save the historic play sculptures.

Friends of Christopher Park requested a safety inspection for the sculptures and
sought support for their preservation from District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman
who, together with prior support from former Supervisors Jeff Sheehy and
Scott Wiener, ultimately secured an additional $552,000 in funding for salvaging
the vintage play sculptures and making pathway improvements, ball field fence
replacement, and new tennis court lighting.

Rec and Park Project Manager Lauren Chavez worked diligently to provide
remaining funding through Rec and Park deferred Maintenance and Open
Space funds.

Thanks to the good work of local contractors Treaty Construction, Kaw’s excellent
design team and Rec and Park’s dynamic project management team led by Chavez,
two original and one replica of the mid-century play equipment comprise a
climbable modernist sculpture garden just steps from the updated playground.
Friends of Christopher Park is delighted that current and future generations will
enjoy these play sculptures, and is grateful for the experience of working with the
project team, the Diamond Heights Community Association, and the Office of
District 8 to make the new George Christopher Playground exceptional.

Mayor London Breed is fired up about the new playground. 

The usual crowds for a ribbon cutting ceremony weren’t in attendance due to
Covid-19 concerns. But Mayor London Breed, District 8 Supervisor
Rafael Mandelman, and  Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg,
were among the city dignitaries who brought spectacular weather to the opening
festivities. And excited kids from Noe Valley Nursery School and Eureka Valley Arts
eagerly tried out all the new fun stuff.

“George Christopher Park has been called the best kept secret in San Francisco
for its views and trails that connect to Glen Canyon. Now its playground is among
the most innovative and fun in San Francisco,” said Ginsburg. “This space has been
beloved by the neighborhood for decades, which was reflected in the community’s
enthusiasm guiding this project.

Entertainment, Contests for Best “Craftmas” Decoration and Best Holiday Pet Costume and Prize Drawings!

Join us via Zoom for the Diamond Heights Holiday Party on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2:00 – 3:30 pm. Cameron Partridge, our MC, will introduce our holiday entertainers, speakers, free raffle and contests for the best decoration made from items around the home and best holiday pet costume. Everyone will be on Zoom. 
 
Our fabulous neighborhood residents, Pat Wilder and the duo Eric Beattie and Marymoore Patterson will provide entertainment. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman will deliver holiday greetings.
 
In order to attend, participate in the contests and free raffle drawings, please reply to this message or email Betsy Eddy at dhcasf@gmail.com. 
Please help us by forwarding this message to family, friends, neighbors and your email lists. Thank you!

• Sign up for the event by replying or emailing Betsy at dhcasf@gmail.com. Betsy will email the Zoom link to you. 
• Free raffle drawings: All attendees will be entered. No need to stay for the whole party to win a prize.
• “Craftmas” Decoration Contest: to enter the contest for the best handmade holiday decoration, email a photo no later than Wednesday, Dec. 16. Decorations may be made from items in or around your home. All ages welcome to enter.
• Holiday Pet Costume Contest: email a photo of your pet decked out in holiday finery no later than Wednesday, December 16. All ages may participate.

Attendees at the party will vote for their favorite “Craftmas” decoration and Holiday Pet Costume.
 
The Holiday Party is brought to you by Resilient Diamond Heights, the Diamond Heights Community Association and St. Aidan’s Church. Please join us for some Holiday Cheer!

Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 3:12 pm, a 90-year-old woman suffered injuries in a hit-and-run accident on Diamond Heights Boulevard and Duncan Street near Clipper.

According to reports, a motorcyclist struck and injured the elderly woman. The rider fled the crash scene.

At this time, the police are seeking the public’s help in looking for the involved motorcyclist. Moreover, further description of the suspect remains unavailable.

Due to the crash, the woman suffered life-threatening injuries.

The authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Police Department’s anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444. They can also send a tip by text message to TIP411 with “SFPD” at the start of the message.

Saturday, Oct 10, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Webinar

Join your neighbors for a FREE online workshop that will provide your family with valuable information about preparing for a natural disaster. We’ll show you how to write a disaster plan for your household, identify supplies to have on hand, and explain how neighbors can help each other in crises.

This free training will be presented by David Munoz Ventura and hosted by Resilient Noe Valley. David presented several trainings for Resilient Diamond Height earlier in the year. This one hour training will incorporate elements from those trainings.To register for the training go to: 

resilientnoevalley.com and select Events and Training.

Ingleside Station Captain Chris Woon is our DHCA contact for informing our neighborhood about crime trends and SFPD reports. Diamond Heights has had serious crime incidents in the last several months. See below for two reports provided by Capt. Woon.

Here are some suggestions from the DHCA for taking action to prevent crime.

• Continue to be vigilant and report unusual/suspicion activity through 311 or 911 depending on the situation
• Get to know your neighbors. Reach out to at least one person on your street and get to know them. Encourage them to do the same
• Create an Email, Text or WhatsApp message group for your street so that you can text/email each other in case of emergency
• Organize a Neighborhood Watch Group. Go to sfsafe.org for more information

 Incident Summaries from Ingleside Station Capt. Chris Woon

Burglary on the Unit Block of Amethyst Way / 09-24-20 / 8:30 p.m. / SFPD Report 200577322 

Officer Cvetovac responded with numerous Ingleside officers on a report of a hot prowl burglary.  Officers were advised by the victim that when she entered her garage in the morning, she observed new damage to her garage door.  The victim then determined that several bicycles had been taken from inside her garage, and that another piece of property taken from the garage had been located a block away from her home, by a neighbor.  The officers determined that an unknown suspect had forced entry through the garage door in order to gain access to the garage, and then stole the bicycles.  Report #200577322 

Shooting on the 5300 Blk Diamond Heights Blvd / 10-01-20 / 10:55am / Report #200590885

Officers Chew, Lustenberger and several Ingleside units responded to the 5300 block of Diamond Heights Boulevard on a shot spotter activation. Upon arrival, they located four spent casings along the street. They also located a vehicle that had crashed and left abandoned on the opposite side of the street. Several witnesses stated they heard the shots and one witness said he saw a suspect shooting at the victim vehicle as it drove down Diamond Heights Blvd. As a result, the vehicle collided with a parked truck. The victim, who was inside the vehicle, jumped out and fled the scene. The Suspect was then seen jumping into another vehicle and fled the scene as well. During the investigation Officers were able to make contact with the victim, who was uncooperative with the officers and the investigation. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. Report Number: 200590885

Virtual (Upper Douglas Dog Park) Blessing of the Animals, Noon, Sunday, October 4th via Zoom 

In honor of St. Francis Day, St. Aidan’s Church will be doing its Upper Douglas Dog Park blessing via Zoom. Email mdyerc@stanford.edu to receive the Zoom link. Please forward this message to others who may like to attend this blessing.