Beach Chalet Soccer Fields

The Recreation and Park Department and the Fields Foundation are planning a major renovation and expansion of the soccer fields located near Ocean Beach. GGPPA has many concerns about these fields and their potential impact on the Park as well as on the surrounding neighborhoods. GGPPA supports youth soccer, but Golden Gate Park is the wrong location for this soccer complex.

This project will convert the existing grassy soccer fields into artificial turf fields, brightly lighted with stadium lights until 10:00 p.m. 365 nights of the year. It will change the western edge of the Park from a pastoral retreat to an urbanized space.

Potential impacts are:

Loss of over 55 trees, tall shrubs, and the current grass meadow
Loss of wildlife habitat
Installation of artificial turf = compacted soil, gravel, plastic carpet, and waste tires and sand infill
Increased paving for sidewalks and parking
Increased lighting for the sidewalks and parking
An increase in traffic in the Park and the neighborhoods,
Decreased available parking at Ocean Beach,
Decreased night sky darkness,
Infringement on the wild nature of Ocean Beach
Infringement on the historic context for the Beach Chalet, the Dutch Windmill and the Murphy Windmill
Contrary to the Golden Gate Park Master Plan

Over 20 environmental, historic preservation, and neighborhood organizations have expressed concern about this project. But there are viable alternatives to this project! Learn more and participate in the protection of Golden Gate Park! A website has been set up to provide more information on the various issues involved in this project. For more information, click on the following link: