|
The Music Concourse became a San Francisco Landmark as of January 15th, 2006.
On February 9th, Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board celebrated the landmarking of the Golden
Gate Park Music Concourse. The ceremony was held on the Mayor's Balcony overlooking the dramatic City Hall Rotunda. Over
100 members of the public and various city departments attended. Bridget Maley, President of the Landmarks Preservation Advisory
Board, presided. Mayor Newsom, Supervisor President Aaron Peskin, and Sponsor Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi all spoke eloquently
of the importance of the Music Concourse to San Francisco and the value of preserving our heritage through landmarking.
LPAB President Maley thanked the many organizations and commissions who contributed to this process, including SPEAK,
San Francisco Tomorrow, the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, San Francisco Architectural Heritage, the San Francisco
Tree Council, Friends of the Urban Forest, the Neighborhood Parks Council, the Western Neighborhoods Project, Friends of the
Music Concourse, and others. She also expressed appreciation to the Department of Recreation and Park, the Planning Department
Staff, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors for their efforts. And last, but not least, to the many members
of the public who wrote letters, filled out hundreds of postcards, and attended hearings to express their love of and support
for the Music Concourse.
The Music Concourse was established in its present form and dedicated to the people of San Francisco on September 9th,
1900. At that time, over 75,000 citizens sat on benches under the newly planted trees or on the surrounding lawn to listen
to speeches and a concert honoring the dedication of the Bandshell. Through the years, this area has been a beloved concert
and gathering space for generations of San Franciscans.
Landmarking of cultural landscapes is a relatively new process in historic preservation. The Music Concourse is only
the second large park area that has been fully landmarked in San Francisco (Washington Square was the first). The landmarking
protects not only the Bandshell but also the surrounding landscape, including the many statues and the historic trees, for
the enjoyment of future generations of San Franciscans.
-------------------------------------------------------
* PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS DUDERSTADT
Last updated on
|
