Controller's office survey: Chinatown Willie Wu Wong and Stanyan Street Edge parks rate highly, bathrooms flagged for maintenance

Kat Benson, a senior analyst in the Controller's City Performance Unit, presented results from a public perception survey of two bond-funded parks, telling the committee that each site had more than 900 quantitative surveys and 50 follow-up interviews.

The two study sites were Willie Wu Wong Playground in Chinatown and the Stanyan Street Edge Park adjacent to Golden Gate Park. Benson said the Willie Wu Wong renovation cost $14,500,000 and the Stanyan Street Edge suite of projects cost $5,500,000, both funded in part through the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks bond.

Key findings

- Willie Wu Wong (Chinatown): Most respondents identified as Chinese or Asian, more than two-thirds of surveys were conducted in a Chinese language, and visitors reported high satisfaction. Benson reported an average park quality rating of 3.43 out of 4; 94% of those who visited before the renovation said the park is better than before; and 76% said they visit more often because of the update.

- Stanyan Street Edge (Golden Gate Park): Respondents were more often white and from San Francisco; the park had an average quality rating of 3.6 out of 4 and 89% of prior visitors said the park is better than before. Respondents appreciated natural features such as the lake, trees and grass.

Restrooms and maintenance concerns

Benson said the most frequent negative comments concerned restrooms: cleanliness, broken fixtures, overly hot water temperatures and concerns about behavior by some users that made parents hesitant to bring children into the bathrooms. "Participants didn't want the bathrooms removed, but shared that there were aspects of this feature that made it their least favorite," Benson said, summarizing interview responses. Benson noted that many of the issues cited are related to ongoing maintenance rather than the design funded by bond dollars.

Methods and next steps

The Controller's Office contracted with external firms for survey design and data collection. Benson said the office will publish the survey results on the controller/CGOback website in the coming weeks and offered to follow up on specific questions, such as the exact number of restroom facilities at Stanyan Street Edge.

Committee reaction and recommendations

Committee members praised the parks and recommended future perception studies include additional neighborhoods (including Bayview). Members emphasized the distinction between capital investments (bond-funded design and construction) and operations/maintenance funding for long-term upkeep.

Ending

Benson concluded by offering to provide follow-up details by email and said the Controller's Office will post the full results online.