The San Francisco Chronicle runs a regular feature called “ChronicleWatch that attempts to get various public works problems fixed by publicizing the problem, and printing the name and contact information for the person in the bureaucracy responsible for dealing with the problem. The paper follows up with progress reports listing the number of days on the watch list.
On Saturday, 31 July, the San Francisco Chronicle published a piece about the broken chainlink fence behind Battery Chamberlain. The article stated that the fence wouldn’t be fixed anytime soon as a request to fund the $20,000 required to fix the fence was denied recent budget talks. Apparently, they will consider funding in the 2006 budget.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area spokesman, Rich Weideman told the San Francisco paper that they were, “really strong on maintenance projects” but they considered life safety, resource protection, and visitor access to be problems that required priority in funding.
The fence securing the most isolated parts of the battery along an unofficial trail on a steep hillside behind the battery was not considered a high priority.
Apparently, trimming the trees along the fence is not considered a priority either, as it appears that in at least one area, the tree branches have been used to climb over the fence and acted as a lever to drop parts of the fencing.
ChronicleWatch notified the Park Service in January of 2004 about the downed cyclone fencing - installed in the 1950's when the military was still using the battery. Crews immediately went out and made temporary repairs to part of the fence, but a 150 foot section is damaged beyond repair and need to be replaced.
It’s difficult to see how 150 feet of chainlink fence needs to cost $20,000. Perhaps a company could be convinced to donate all or part of the material, maybe the CDSG could fund part of the repairs, or help raise the funds for the repair. Volunteer labor could significantly reduce the cost.
The public can watch the demonstration of the operation of the 6-inch disappearing gun the first full weekend of every month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. For information call (415) 561-4323. You can get a pretty good view of the 6-inch gun from behind the battery since the fence is down.
According the Chronicle, the person responsible is Brian O’Neill, GGNRA Superintendent, (415) 561-4730.
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