Residents urge San Francisco Board to designate Lincoln Park as historic landmark

The San Francisco County government meeting on July 4, 2025, focused on the potential landmark designation of Lincoln Park, a site with significant historical importance. Residents and community members voiced their support for recognizing the park, which is home to the former City Cemetery and Golden Gate Cemetery, as a city landmark.

Richard Rossman, a District 1 resident, emphasized the rich history of the area and urged the committee to consider the Mother's Building at the zoo for landmark status as well. Grant Ingram, also from District 1, highlighted the importance of the Lincoln Park Golf Course to the community, particularly for seniors and individuals of Asian heritage. He expressed concerns that any new initiatives should not jeopardize the course's operation while still allowing for the commemoration of its historical significance.

Brenda He Wong, another speaker, stressed the need for landmark designation due to the park's historical significance as a burial site for over 23,000 indigent individuals, including many immigrants who contributed to San Francisco's development. She called for appropriate signage to honor the diverse communities buried there.

Richard Harris from the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance noted the coexistence of golf and historical monuments at Lincoln Park, advocating for a balance between preserving the site’s history and maintaining the golf course. John Martini, a historian, shared insights about the forgotten laborers buried at the site, reinforcing the need to remember their contributions to the city.

Mary Anne Otay, a descendant of a family that donated land for the burial of Chinese immigrants, supported the landmark designation, calling the site sacred ground. Robert Wong from the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association echoed this sentiment, urging the Board of Supervisors to recognize the historical significance of the site for Chinese Americans.

The meeting underscored a collective desire to honor Lincoln Park's history while ensuring that community needs, particularly those of golfers, are respected. The next steps involve further discussions and potential votes by the Board of Supervisors on the landmark designation.