Starr King Park
A view from the park
According to Dale Everett, who maintains a website about the park, we are in danger of losing the property to the city. The Office of the Treasurer has recently confirmed that the park property owes $248.71 in back taxes, and annual taxes of roughly $45 have not been paid since 2001. Should the property remain in default until 2007, it will be acquired by the city. Dale is concerned that should the park fall into city hands, it would be sold to a developer and built upon.
The Board of Directors last met publicly on March 12, 2002 and they alone have the authority to conduct the park's business.
For more information about Starr King Park you can visit both the unofficial website and discussion group that Dale has created.
Update 7/26/05
According to Susanne Shields, a member of the board of directors for the park, the taxes were paid today. I've also been informed by a trustworthy source that "they've done a great job restoring the park to native habitat, and have a plan and work on the park regularly."
3 Comments:
It's a lovely, natural setting park...it is possible for at least a portion of it to be overseen and cared for by students at Starr King...studying environmental issues?
Kathy: a great idea and one that we have pursued. Two years ago we applied for a $75,000 grant to do nature ed in the openspace and provide science equipment and books to Starr King and Daniel Webster. We won 1st round approval working with Mission Science Workshop on curriculum and and with the Starr King Park board to design a site adjacent to the school. The grantors were really excited about our concept, but for a variety of reasons, we were not able to secure the partnership with the school that we needed, and the grantors were really disappointed as were we. To give the teachers their due, however, they have done sketching in the openspace with the kids and I donated waterproof cushions to sit on as a way of supporting the art program. Last spring a teacher released butterflies in the openspace and his class learned about host plants and other environmental issues. Last week I got a call from a parent of the private school that is moving into part of the Starr King School site this fall, who wants to revive the idea and follow through, so I am very hopeful. You can always call me at 415 810-4900 if you want to help, donate supplies or with any other question regarding the openspace. thanks for your interest, Kathy. Susanne Shields, secretary of the board of directors, Starr King Openspace.
Re unpaid property taxes, Starr King: This information is incorrect: what was at issue was the mello-roos school tax assessment of $32 per year which was billed by the Unified School District in error. The bills went to the home address of a private individual in the neighborhood and were not sent to the board at its po box. THERE WAS NEVER ANY POSSIBIITY THAT THE LAND COULD BE SOLD. However, I paid the school tax assessment last week and then started the process of getting them to correct their error and refund our money, which was a less than the misinformation posted. Starr King is the largest land trust in San Francisco and must be held in perpetuity as openspace. Anyone wishing FACTUAL, accurate information about Starr King may contact Susanne Shields, secretary of the board of directors at 415 810-4900.
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