Campsters Amock in the Park
10 February 2008 - 23:07, jfred decker said
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Saturday, a well-known Individual and I came across an occupied camp on a (very popular, very non-legal) site on a high ridge overlooking the Lily Pond and Middle Drive on either side.
Nice tent (but disgusting trash). The Individual called the Park Patrol on ‘em:
Here’s a very rough version of his call:
OPERATOR:INDIVIDUAL:“Sir, where exactly is this campsite loaded with fresh trash only 100 feet from dozens of parked cars on Middle Drive?”
“You know, the Lilly Pond”...
“up on Chicken Hill” ...
OPERATOR:“off Middle Drive, West from the Lily Pond path.”
”...uh, right! See ya there in 20 minutes, sucka ... as if …”
... and nothing happened. But, hey, how could something happen? Even the park gardeners don’t know what to call that area. We could use a good MAP SYSTEM that not only enables people to describe problem locations, but also enables responders to even hope to FIND the locations.
#
PostScript: Better Luck Next Day!
Tent still there next day… Nice spot, eh?
So I called it in. First try, the SFPD refers me to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (!) so I had to call back. Got the Golden Gate Park Patrol who offered to come by if I would wait by the road. Yes! They came, but the campers were out. Still, I’m impressed and appreciative they came.
I continued hacking Ivy and Blackberry bramble till sundown. As it gets Dark in the Park, “creatures” appear: a kid on a bike is upset and screaming at me, “What are you doing here?”. A pale, skinny guy walks by drumming on a paint can; perhaps he’s announcing the start of the night shift.
Just as I picked up my tools to go, I actually saw the camper and his dog return. Very nice clothes, awfully cute doggie… this is homelessness? How about Free Youth Hostel?
Seems like I made him nervous. Three prong cultivators really do look dangerous.
How many women and strangers has this campster caused to feel NERVOUS and INTIMIDATED, using our park for his private bedroom and (Can you doubt it?) his TOILET, too! How many will not use their own park because this not-so-homeless adventurer-freeloader is squatting in a choice location?
Me, I walked very briskly up the roadway: no trails for me in the dark!
NOTE:
As Rob points out, the City really ought to rent this site out. It is totally GORGEOUS: set amongst tall trees near Coastal Oaks, spectacular views, and near the new Academy of $cience$. What’s not to like about that? (Hey, those campsters ain’t dummies!)
PLUS, now we’re knocking back the Ivy infestations, so soon there will be a clear view between this wonderful place and the street. Safe for your kiddies (minus the campsters, of course)!
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