It seemed like a lovely idea at the time. Federal funds had been allocated to improve the Diamond/Bosworth intersection. Along with the street work that took place around 2015, SFPW installed four planter boxes on each of three corners of the intersection. This was consistent with beautification goals set forth in the Glen Park Community Plan adopted in 2011. However, the metal planter boxes seemed to just suddenly appear without notice. (The exact date of the installation is unknown to The Glen Park News.)
Neighborhood reaction was mixed, but at least it reflected an effort to adorn the area with some greenery.
Plants need to be watered.
From the beginning confusion reigned about maintenance. SFPW installed a drainage apparatus but they didn’t have the resources for regular watering and upkeep. They depended on nearby businesses to maintain the plants, and some did for awhile. The boxes adjacent to the BART station were out of luck.
Mischief and entropy ensued.
Vandals ripped out the irrigation lines of two planters in 2018. As the neglected plants withered and died, the boxes became trash bins for *busy* commuters and ash trays for the smokers. The metal boxes became yet another opportunity for graffiti vandals to show off.
December 2019: The Glen Park Association requests removal of the boxes by SFPW, which by now is embroiled in well-documented scandals.
March 2020: Pandemic shutdown. No one is too worried about planter boxes.
Amnesia.
November 2021: The neighborhood seems to be awakening. The Glen Park Merchants Association appeals to SFPW to remove the planters. The Glen Park Association writes in support, reminding SFPW of previous requests and, with the Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project, rolls it in to appeals to BART to clean up the graffiti and repair broken windows at the station. (With the help of BART Director Bevan Dufty, quick action was taken.)
January 8, 2022: The twelve planters are removed by SFPW.
Pretty simple, eh?
Thanks to SFPW, BART, and Supervisor Mandelman and his staff for addressing quality of life issues in our neighborhood. With our confinement during the pandemic, it seems more important than ever to have the lovely and calming surroundings that were in the plan for the Glen Park village.