Piggybacking on the turnout from the presidential election was one of the reasons that Prop. A, the $185 million parks bond, was targeted for this first ever February ballot, San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department director Yomi Agunbiade told me at the Yes on Prop. A party at Boudin’s Bakery in Fisherman’s Wharf. “We’re definitely riding that wave, ” he said minutes after the proposition posted its first real numbers at 67.6 % in favor, surpassing that always difficult 66.6 % it needs to win. Attending the shindig are Sup. Sean Elsbernd, financier Warren Hellman, Neighborhood Parks Council director Isabel Wade, and campaign consultant Patrick Hannan. They say it’s been very hard to get people’s attention for the measure, but they’re pleased that it appears headed to victory.
“This is fantastic. This is going to benefit San Francisco all over the city, improving and repairing old infrastructure and creating new open space,” Elsbernd said.
Hannan credit Eslbernd and Hellman with “carrying the ball” on the campaign, along with parents, athletic leagues and the Fisherman Wharf Merchants Association, which is going to benefit from the measure through improvements at Pier 43. (Sarah Phelan)