To: 

Sherry Katz, Project Manager

Carla Short, Director of San Francisco Public Works

Gerald Newbeck, Captain Ingleside Station, Field Operations Bureau, Golden Gate Division

Sarah Madland, Interim General Manager, SF Rec & Park

 

Subject: Modest, Cost-effective, and Community-serving investments as part of the Ingleside Station Renovation

Dear Sherry, Carla, Gerald, & Sarah,

On behalf of a coalition of neighbors committed to the stewardship, safety, and vitality of our shared green space—we are writing about the upwards of $100+ million of taxpayer money planned for the renovation of the Ingleside Police Station located within Balboa Park.

 

We strongly support this investment in public safety infrastructure. At the same time, in a period of significant budget constraints, we believe it is essential that this taxpayer money also delivers meaningful, visible benefits to the surrounding community. Balboa Park is not just the home of a police station—it is a daily gathering place for families, seniors, youth, and visitors. This renovation presents a rare opportunity to strengthen both safety and community trust in a holistic way.

 

Our Requests
These requests represent a small fraction of the overall project budget, yet they would deliver outsized returns in safety, accessibility, and community cohesion. By integrating these improvements into the renovation plan, the City has an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment not just to infrastructure, but to the lived experience of the residents it serves.

 

To help align this investment with community needs, we respectfully ask for the inclusion of the following improvements:

• Enhanced Lighting for Safety and Accessibility
  Install and upgrade lighting in key areas, including: Sgt. John V Young Ln, the tennis courts, the playground areas, and the pedestrian pathways leading to and from the station. These improvements will make the park safer, more welcoming, and more usable into the evening hours.
• Increase Access to the Community Center
  Commit to an open community center during regular business hours to support positive, community-led activities such as dance practice, Zumba, and table tennis. Providing foldable ping pong tables would be a low-cost, high-impact way to encourage usage and engagement.
• Repair the Baseball Field Bleachers
  Address the current condition of the bleachers, which are in significant disrepair and present safety concerns for families and spectators. Repairing or replacing these structures is an important step in making the fields safe and welcoming. This also presents a creative opportunity: thoughtfully designed seating with subtle police branding or insignia could reinforce community pride and visibility while enhancing the overall aesthetic of the space.
• Complete and Illuminate the Baseball Field Pathway
  Finalize the pathway encircling the baseball field and ensure it is well-lit. This would create a safe, continuous walking loop for access to the police station from Ocean Ave, as well as facilitate exercise and circulation throughout the park. 
• Increase parking
  Parking is already challenged at Balboa Park, and the police station as well as Rec & Park take up many spots. Identify a way to add parking to the park.

Our Shared Objectives

1.  Safe and Accessible Environment
   After sunset, large portions of the park become difficult to navigate due to poor lighting. This limits access and creates safety concerns for residents who rely on the park as a key pedestrian route, including the multiple pathways leading to the Police Station.
2. Building Trust Through Presence and Connection
   Unlike stations like Mission Police Station, which is embedded within a vibrant, visible neighborhood corridor, the Ingleside station is tucked away within the park. This physical separation can unintentionally create social distance. We see an opportunity to reimagine this space as one of daily interaction and mutual engagement.

A Thoughtful Investment in Community Wellbeing
We would welcome the opportunity to partner with DPW, the Police Department, and SF Rec & Park to further develop these ideas and ensure their successful implementation.

 

Thank you for your leadership and consideration.