Still no decision on fate of Sharp Park

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- In San Francisco Thursday, the controversy over Sharp Park Golf Course moved ahead, a little.

The Recreation and Park Department was supposed to vote on a plan to protect endangered species but the proposed solutions have divided groups even more.

In a building made of granite and concrete, a discussion about endangered snakes, frogs, grass, and what golfers describe as a historic treasure, Sharp Park, which is owned by San Francisco, in the city of Pacifica.

"These species will not exist if we keep golf at the site," Jeff Miller, spokesperson for the Center for Biological Diversity, said.

"The fact is the frog and snake exist because of the golf course, not in spite of it," golf course advocate Bo Links countered.

It has been awhile since golfers and environmentalists co-existed in a room. Thursday, they overflowed into a hallway as San Francisco's Recreation and Park Commission heard a report recommending a rearrangement of the course to restore habitat for the red legged frog and San Francisco garter snake.

The Center for Biological Diversity filed suit to protect them more than a year ago. But environmentalists are still not happy.

"A good outcome is the department should send this report back," Miller said.

"The park seems to have a pre-ordained conclusion to support as little change AT Sharp Park as possible," environmentalist Brent Plater said.

Thursday, what the various sides have said among themselves, they put on the public record.

The commission was supposed to vote on the proposed measures Thursday, but they are still listening to public comments. Insiders expect that after all the discussion, they will probably put off a decision for at least a couple of weeks.

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pacifica, endangered species, golf, wayne freedman

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