Stow Lake Boathouse Article in Sunset Beacon July 2010 issue (PDF)~
Save the Historic Stow Lake Boathouse in Golden Gate Park
~
Stow Lake Boathouse Article in Sunset Beacon July 2010 issue (PDF)
~
7/29/10 update: The public has no right to appeal decisions made by Rec & Parks. Our letters, emails, in person appeals and phone calls to the Commission & staff go largely ignored. So it is important to speak in-person at the Commission meetings if you want to be heard. The decision to award the boathouse concessions to the New Mexico company: "Ortega Family Enterprises" will be discussed at the August 19th, 2010 Rec & Park Commission meeting. The Commission will vote to begin contract negotiations with this company. Mark your calendars and check back here for the meeting start time, which is not confirmed. Usual start times are either 2pm or 4pm.
For information about protecting SF parklands for everyone's use, not just those that can afford high prices, please go to and click on the "Contact Us" link and sign up for Take Back Our Parks alerts:
~
Stow Lake Boathouse Article in Northside SF July 2010 issue (PDF)
~
WE NOW HAVE OVER 2,200 SIGNATURES IN SUPPORT OF PRESERVATION OF THE BOATHOUSE!
Rec & Park received a Sunshine Ordinance violation 67.27 on 6/23/10 by unanimous vote (10-0) from the Sunshine Task Force in regards to their secrecy surrounding the boathouse selection panel. Rec & Parks also received a scolding from the Task Force for excluding the community in the process. Hooray for democracy!
~
~
click here to read the Sierra Club's Letter in support of proposed Charter Amendment
We ask the Rec & Parks Commission to remove all Commissioners from the Stow Lake concession selection panel so that the public can see how ALL the Commissioners vote (commissioners who sit on selection panels are unable to vote publicly). Commissioner Meagan Levitan was on the selection panel and we asked for her to be removed for fairness. Since she did not remove herself, we would like her to vote publicly on all matters related to the boathouse, the bids, the contracts, etc.
There has been so much deception, deflection and dismissal of the community, and secrecy surrounding Rec & Parks actions with the boathouse, this is a small request for transparency.
Who is behind the scenes trying to commercialize and privatize our boathouse by prioritizing food service over boating recreation? This isn't something any group wants! (102 reviews on Yelp give the boathouse 4 1/2 stars so why mess with success?).
OUR PARKS ARE NOT COMMODITIES FOR SPECIAL INTEREST BARTERING!
Why Would You Want to Change Something That's Already Perfect?
~Linda-Marie Koza, to the Recreation & Park Commissioners regarding the Boathouse, 5/6/10
The boathouse has been in the McLellan family for 65 years and Bruce McLellan is the best guardian of the history, the lake and the community that uses it! Mr. McLellan was put on a month-to-month lease 5 years ago making painting and other capital improvements infeasible. Rec & Park has mismanaged the lease and now they infer that Mr. McLellan is the bad tenant! He has a perfect safety record with no lawsuits in over 65 years... an incredible record when working with boating and the public. One lawsuit could cost the city millions of dollar in legal fees and settlements! Yet, Rec & Park ignores this and all the other ways Mr. McLellan has given to the City: hiring hundreds of Washington H.S. students over the years, offering free boats and services to school groups, taking care of the seniors who frequent Stow Lake, etc.
Join us in protecting Stow Lake's habitat for the future.... taking over the entire top floor of the boathouse for food service makes no sense. A commercial Restaurant and bar at the Boathouse will negatively impact the wildlife, trees and flora with increased traffic, noise, lighting, gas emissions (more large delivery trucks & gas engine trucks to move the boats up & down the pedestrian walkways!). The current boathouse is green and uses no gas powered boats or trucks to haul boats! Why would we want to increase carbon emissions at our beautiful Stow Lake?
Every other restaurant or cafe in Golden Gate Park sells alcohol, so Stow Lake will be no different, unless you speak up to your supervisor today.
Boats and alcohol don't mix. Alcohol and kids don't mix. Keep Stow Lake family friendly and safe.
The boathouse currently generates nearly $200,000 a year for the city... a new tenant will lose money for many years due to costs of installing a kitchen and dining area that must meet all State and Local fire, ADA, and seismic codes. This is a foolish plan that will not help the city's budget crisis.
Seniors will no longer be able to gather freely at the boathouse. Prices will be more than doubled on all food items. Middle class and poor families will be driven out of this spot that is designed to be for all...not just the paying few.
A hot dog (veggie or regular) at the Stow Lake snack bar costs $3.50
A hot dog at the deYoung Museum Cafe costs $8.50
Telegraph Hill Dwellers Resolution to Preserve the Stow Lake Boathouse -- PDF file (80 KB)
~ Post card view of the Stow Lake Boat House from 1950's
"Since the lake was named for my great grandfather, I think that it is reprehensible that a restaurant would be considered a desirable substitute for the boathouse. The lake and Strawberry Island are so peaceful, why should it be subjected to a commercial establishment? This possibility came to my attention a few minutes ago and I am totally against it."
~ Vanderlynn Stow, 2/11/10
______________________________________________________________________
posted 4/26/10
It has come to our attention that Recreation & Park staff have mistakenly deduced that Save the Stow Lake Boathouse Coalition (SSLBHC) works in some capacity for the current boathouse tenant, Bruce McLellan. The founders of the SSLBHC did not meet Mr. McLellan until after the 12/17/09 Recreation & Park Commission meeting, well after the SSLBHC was formed, and are, in no way, directly or indirectly, being paid for their work with SSLBHC. Both Suzanne Dumont & Sandy Weil, the founders, have always openly expressed a preference for Mr. McLellan's lease to be renewed to preserve the historic character and usage of the boathouse, because of his wonderful boathouse staff, because of his sterling safety record in renting boats to the public, etc!
The SSLBHC is comprised of volunteers donating their time and money to preserve the unique character and environment of Stow Lake because we LOVE it.
Dear President Lazarus and Commissioners,
Thank you for your support of the public meetings on 1/12/10 to discuss the plans for the Stow Lake Boat House. Over 80 people attended the two meetings.
What we learned at the Tuesday meetings is that the whole concept of an indoor cafe/restaurant at the Stow Lake Boat House is not driven by public demand or need, and is not based on an informed decision by Rec & Parks. As Rec & Parks staff frequently stated at the public meetings, generating more revenue is NOT a major priority at the boat house. This being the case, then changing the whole configuration of the building is absolutely unnecessary when there are plenty of indoor/outdoor cafes within walking distance on 9th Avenue, not to mention the de Young Museum cafe.
The public input was clear, with over 90% in favor of leaving the top floor of the boat house as it is. There were requests to improve food options at the snack bar: such as sandwiches, salads and espresso drinks. In comparison, there was very little support for the indoor cafe.
The proposal by Rec & Parks to move the boat repair shop to the lower parking lot level involves removal of the current working hoist system and boat repair shop. This would destroy the intrinsic nature and historic design of the boat house and Stow Lake. Rec & Parks staff propose to move boats in and out of the lake using trailers on the steep eastern walkway and mentioned having park gardeners help with this. Since the park is already short gardening staff, we do not believe moving boats is an efficient use of their time, or our tax dollars.
People stated at the meeting that if the City persists with the plan to add an indoor cafe, it should be added at the parking lot level along with a nature center, and not at the lake level, which would disturb boating operations, the traditional character, and historic use of the building as a boat house since 1890!
The majority of people believe that the indoor cafe proposal is incompatible with the objectives detailed in the Golden Gate Park Master Plan, and as guardians of this important American resource you should object to any disruption of the Stow Lake Boat House and instead promote a complete restoration. If it is economically unrealistic for the future tenant to make all the capital improvements needed (and the indoor cafe increases improvement costs significantly), then it is the responsibility of the City, the tenant, and the interested community members to create a fundraising plan to handle major improvements for the boat house.
Some people in attendance also requested a full Environmental Impact Report be done, as well as a report that addresses the safety issues of using trailers to move the boats on a busy steep walkway where children, elderly, disabled and others who frequent Stow Lake are usually present. There was also a recommendation that a licensed termite inspection and lead paint analysis of the premises take place immediately so that all RFQ applicants have access to the additional costs related to needed capital improvements.
We believe this indoor cafe/restaurant at the Stow Lake Boat House is not driven by public demand or need, and is not based on an informed decision by Rec & Parks, and we request that the indoor cafe be removed from the RFQ. The Stow Lake Boat House is a valuable resource with profound historic significance.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Suzanne R. Dumont & Sandy Weil,
Save the Stow Lake Boat House Coalition
PS: We all learned why the current tenant has kept 30 year old row boats, that cost him more to repair, than to buy new boats...because they are flat bottomed, wider and much safer for the amateur rowers that use them. There are no comparable U.S. Coast Guard approved rowboats on the market. Safe boats are much more important than new boats.
Look who swiped the heart shaped lollypops!
Karen Weil Morris paints a lovely crown on Isa!
Artist: Blossom Gee, Valentine to the Boathouse!
Artist: Alyssa, age 9
Kira, Janice and Victoria Stein Casey take a ride before the party starts!
Left to right: Jeff Fones, Boathouse manager (in white cap), Bruce McLellan, current Stow Lake Boathouse lease holder and Julian Jordan, documenting the event with his Flip camera (in yellow t-shirt)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Click here to join over 2,200 others who have signed our petition!
click here to learn about Tree Frog Treks that loves to take their groups to the Boathouse!
Contact us at: savestowlake@aol.com
Please bookmark this website so you can check back for news and alerts!" Thank you!