Pacifica’s Sharp Park Golf Course Faces Possible Closure

Photo courtesy of Bill Fields/Golf Digest

One of the many beautiful things about living in the Bay Area is the possibility of playing a pleasant 18 holes of golf a stone’s throw away from the Pacific Ocean (in the middle of December no less). However, one of the most scenic and affordable places to do so, Sharp Park in Pacifica, is facing a pending closure.

The historic golf course is under fire from environmental groups because it harbors two endangered species – the San Francisco garter snake and the California red-legged tree frog.

Two weeks ago, the SF Board of Supervisors narrowly voted to order the Parks & Recreation Department to turn the property over to the National Park Service, who claims they will not manage any land there with a golf course on it. Mayor Ed Lee has 10 days to veto the law, and those 10 days end tomorrow (Dec. 20). If the city ultimately decides to turn it over to the NPS, the golf course would be developed into a wetlands and habitat restoration with walking trails.

Opponents to the law point to the Presidio Golf Course as an example of what could become of Sharp Park. The Presidio course is on federal land and has been a national historic landmark since 1962. The pesticide-free golf course has coexisted for years with declining species, like the western screech owl, the wrentit, and Hutton’s vireo.

Sharp Park, designed by internationally renowned architect Alister MacKenzie, opened in 1932. It is one of the few public, affordable golf courses in the San Francisco area.

Interested in preserving Sharp Park Golf Course? Email Mayor Ed Lee here.

@marypolizzotti

View the discussion thread.

I don't see why they need to shut the park down just because some snakes and frogs live there. It's not like golfers are out to hunt them. Not to mention the fact that this golf course, or any golf course, has the option of using organic pest control products that are sure to not harm any animals residing within its boundaries.

Whether or not the park is a waste of city money or not, that is a different issue. I just don't think they should close it just because of some frogs and snakes.

By Michael (not verified) on March 27, 2012

ken your an idiot ! it creates jobs and brings in money to the city ds! its the frogs and snakes that are the issue ds!

By Anonymous (not verified) on December 23, 2011

NORAHG Responds to the SIEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TERROR Against Sharp Park Golf Course, San Francisco, California.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Mayor of San Francisco, Ed Lee, must be CONGRATULATED for SAVING Sharp Park Golf Course.

This golf facility has been under a SIEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TERROR under the PRETEXT of somehow protecting obscure and insignificant species.

In fact, Sharp Park Golf Course is NOT harming ANY animal species.

As usual, Enviro-Lunatics DESPISE the Game of Golf.

Anti-Golf Organizations like National Parks Conservation Association and Wild Equity Institute have TERRORIZED the City of San Francisco for years over the future of Sharp Park Golf Course.

The golf facility MAY STILL BE CLOSED because of their RELENTLESS AND UNCEASING LIES and MIS-INFORMATION.

The habitat that Enviro-Lunatics are trying to « recover » was originally created when the golf course was built along with a sea wall, isolating the Laguna Sal from ocean waves.

IF the golf course had NEVER BEEN BUILT, there would be no habitat for the endangered species.

Anti-Golf Enviro-Lunatics seek the DESTRUCTION of the Golf Industry.

These terrorists ATTACK the Golf Industry under the PRETEXT of ALLEGED ill-effects on the habitats of obscure and insignificant species like Garter Snakes and Tadpoles.

The Golf Industry Should Tell Anti-Golf Activists to Get OFF Our grASS and Roast In Hell.

For more information, please go to the following link ...

http://pesticidetruths.com/toc/golf-sharp-park-golf-course-usa/

We are living in the DARK AGE OF ANTI PESTICIDE TERRORISM where sound science is trumped by FAKE SCIENTISTS, JUNK SCIENCE and UNVERIFIABLE SECRET EVIDENCE through FABRICATION, INNUENDO, and INTERNET RUMOUR ― scientific research PROVES that pest control products CAUSE NO HARM and can be USED SAFELY.

WILLIAM H. GATHERCOLE AND NORAH G

NORAHG is the National Organization Responding Against HUJE that seek to harm the Green space industry.

NORAHG morally represents the VAST SILENT MAJORITY of people associated with turf and ornamental plant maintenance who are OPPOSED to Anti Pesticide PROHIBITION and the CLOSURE of green spaces under the RIDICULOUS PRETEXT of somehow « saving » the environment.

NORAHG is a NATIONAL NON PROFIT NON PARTISAN organization that does not accept money from corporations or governments, and represents NO VESTED INTERESTS WHATSOEVER.

NORAHG is dedicated to reporting the work of RESPECTED and HIGHLY RATED EXPERTS who promote ENVIRONMENTAL REALISM and PESTICIDE TRUTHS.

http://pesticidetruths.com/

By WILLIAM H. GATHERCOLE AND NORAH G (not verified) on December 20, 2011

Sharp park golf course should be closed. It wastes city money, and the land is better used as parkland.

By Ken L (not verified) on December 20, 2011