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Glen Park is on an improvement spree—you can join in

August 21, 2022 by Bonnee Waldstein

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS MAKE GLEN PARK STREETS SPARKLE

Photo: Tony of Critter Fritters

How often have you walked by trash on Glen Park streets and grumbled to yourself, “I wish someone would clean this stuff up?” That someone might be–you.

Blessed as a transit hub with a BART station, freeway access and multiple MUNI bus lines, as well as a vibrant commercial center, Glen Park is also cursed with more than its share of street trash than would be the case in some other residential neighborhoods.

For a few years, Glen Park had an SFPW Corridor Ambassador who cleaned the streets in our bustling business area a couple of days a week. Neighbors got to know her and appreciated the work she did.

According to SFPW spokesperson Rachel Gordon, “The Glen Park corridor worker was reassigned for a promotive opportunity in April. We hope to have the Glen Park position backfilled by the end of this month.”

No doubt there will still be trash aplenty in the village and greater Glen Park for SFPW workers and volunteers alike.

Vincent Yuen, an energetic Richmond District dad, developed a program in April 2021, “Refuse Refuse,”  which organizes volunteers to do monthly neighborhood cleanups all over the city.

For Yuen, it started as a way to share activities with his kids safely during the pandemic and grew from there.

He’s passionate about cleaning up the city block by block and the effect it has on building community cohesion and friendships among residents.

 In the larger context, according to Yuen,

“As one of the greatest cities in the world, San Francisco deserves clean streets, neighborhoods, parks, and beaches. We must maintain a culture of cleanliness for our community and future generations. Let’s lead by example and show the world how it’s done!”

So, we Glen Parkers can don neon orange vests, grab a bag and a picker, and tackle the challenge as well.

Before cleanup… Photo: Marian Dalere 

Refuse Refuse events are generally scheduled on Saturdays from 10:00 to around 11:30. With each cleanup the group gets more organized and efficient, as veterans help guide the newbies and teams fan out to address trouble spots.

Volunteers are cautioned to avoid hazardous materials and to use the 311 app to report large piles of trash or vegetation. (More on SF311 below.)

The first event garnered 29 volunteers and 46 bags of trash; the second one, 16 volunteers and 26 bags, which are picked up by Public Works, who also supplies the pickers and bags.

The meeting point is Critter Fritters pet supply store at 670 Chenery Street, where Tony the manager stores needed supplies and acts as overall booster for the event.

For a satisfying send off and return, and a chance for a friendly schmooze, snacks and refreshments were donated by the Glen Park Merchants Association, purchased from local businesses such as Pebbles Cafe, Cheese Boutique and Canyon Market.

Discount coupons were handed out to volunteers from Pebbles Café, Bello Café, Cheese Boutique, Perch, Critter Fritters and Viking Subs.

Among the people who’ve volunteered are children participating with their parents to get school credit for community service.

Surprisingly, there were also people from outside Glen Park who roam events all over the city. They say the activity checks a lot of boxes: getting to know different neighborhoods, meeting new people, and getting good exercise and fresh air.

During cleanup. Photos: Bonnee Waldstein

After the latest event it was already apparent that there was less trash accumulation, but certainly enough to occupy the Saturday time slot.

It sounds counterintuitive but starting a Saturday morning picking up trash in Glen Park leaves people with a positive attitude.

After cleanup! Photo: Marian Dalere

To volunteer on cleanups, sign up to be notified of future events.

Also check the Important Upcoming Dates sidebar on this website.

If you forget to register, you will still be welcome!

 

 

311 GETS IT DONE

Picking up trash is one thing most Glen Parkers can do to burnish the neighborhood’s image.

When safety is the issue, that’s when the experts need to be called in.

One Glen Park resident has made it her mission to document the many faded crosswalks and stop warnings on our local streets, which pose danger to pedestrians and drivers alike.

By having the user-friendly SF311 Mobile App on her phone, she can quickly take a photo and jot a brief description of the issue on the app. The location is automatically recorded.

You can also reach SF311 online or by phone but most people find the app the easiest to use.

The SF311.org website has instructions for downloading and using the app. 

Here are a couple of examples with “BEFORE” photos.

Screenshots of 311 requests. Photos: Marian Dalere.

Every request submitted gets routed to San Francisco Public Works. They either respond to the complaint or route it to the appropriate agency. The app has helpful features which allow for feedback and tracking of requests.

Here are the “AFTER” photos.

STOP warning at Bosworth & Lippard.. Photo: Marian Dalere
Crosswalk at Joost & Monterey. Photo: Marian Dalere

By using the SF311 app whenever we spot hazards and eyesores, we can make Glen Park always look like “AFTER.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Community Clean-Up, SFPW, Uncategorized

Primary Sidebar

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Upper Noe Neighbors Community Meeting Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Upper Noe Recreation Center auditorium
295 Day Street
Agenda


San Francisco Department of Public Works logoDPW Love Our City
District 8 Cleanup Day
Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. to afternoon
Learn more and sign up here


 

Logo Center for Creative Exploration

The Center for Creative Exploration
Explore all the Colors of the Rainbow
one-day workshop
Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
300 Chenery Street
Learn more and link to registration here


Weeding Party
June 21, 10 a.m. to noon
100 block of Arlington at Charles
Join neighbors on the North end of the Cut to keep down the weeds and beautify top to bottom. Tools, lunch and good company provided.



Stop the bleed logoStop the Bleed Workshop
Thursday, June 26, 6-9 p.m.
St. Aidan’s Church
To learn more, click here


Monthly cleanup on the Greenway
First Saturday of the Month (usually)
Click here to learn more


Friends of Glen Canyon’s
Glen Canyon Habitat Restoration
Every third Saturday 9:30 a.m to noon
Sign up here

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Check It Out at the Glen Park Library

Click the above button or here to see all upcoming Glen Park Branch Library events. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get events highlights in your inbox.

Glen Park Rec Center

Glen Canyon Park sign
Click here for latest
Glen Park Rec Center
class schedule


Saturdays 3-4:45 p.m.
Questions? Call 415-239-4007


GP Movie Night Schedule

Renew Your Glen Park Association Membership for 2025

Join the Glen Park Association and help promote our community’s interests. Together, we can secure improvement funds, publicize neighborhood concerns and strive to speak as one voice on neighborhood and city issues.

Membership in the Glen Park Association is only $10 annually and can be purchased online.

Glen Park Association Advertising Sponsors

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Glen Park Association is at San Francisco Public Library Glen Park Branch.
3 days ago
Glen Park Association

Photos and Fun courtesy of the Glen Park Library!
It was a great turnout at the Glen Park Library Open House on Saturday May 17th!

Thank you to all who attended and a big thank you to Glen Park Branch Library Manager Darren Heiber and his staff for a fantastic day!! 🙌🏽

San Francisco Public Library Arion Press | Artist Books Museum of Craft and Design Rafael Mandelman 🏳️‍🌈 #glenparklibrary #arionpress #museumofcraftanddesign #glenparksf #sanfrancisco #InCommunity
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Photos and Fun courtesy of the Glen Park Library! 
It was a great turnout at the Glen Park Library Open House on Saturday May 17th!

Thank you to all who attended and a big thank you to Glen Park Branch Library Manager Darren Heiber and his staff for a fantastic day!! 🙌🏽

@sfpubliclibrary @arionpress @museumofcraftanddesign @rafaelmandelmand8 #glenparklibrary #arionpress #museumofcraftanddesign #glenparksf #sanfrancisco #incommunity
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Glen Park Association is at Glen Park Recreation Center.
4 days ago
Glen Park Association

Qi Gong & Tai Chi Thursdays at the Glen Park Rec Center!

Thursdays 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Room #1
Led by led by Ashima Sarin

Beginners and All Levels of Mobility Are Welcome! It’s FREE and drop-in!

(There will be no class the second half of June and July)

📍Glen Park Rec Center, 70 Elk Street

QUESTIONS? CALL 415-239-4007
... See MoreSee Less

Qi Gong & Tai Chi Thursdays at the Glen Park Rec Center!

Thursdays  2:00PM - 2:45PM 
Room #1
Led by led by Ashima Sarin

Beginners and All Levels of Mobility Are Welcome! It’s FREE and drop-in! 

(There will be no class the second half of June and July)

📍Glen Park Rec Center, 70 Elk Street 

QUESTIONS? CALL 415-239-4007
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Blog Roll

Coyote Yipps
Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center
Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project
Open SF History
Sunnyside Conservatory
Sunnyside History
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
Tramps of San Francisco
Upper Noe Neighbors

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