By Katherine Howard
Photo credit: The SkyStar Observation Wheel by Michael Fraley (CC by 2.0)
Last year, without adequate environmental review, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department installed a brightly lit Ferris wheel in the middle of Golden Gate Park. Because of the non-historic character of the wheel, the Historic Preservation Commission limited the wheel's permit to one year. Now the Recreation and Parks Department is asking that this permit be extended for four more years.
Here’s why this is a problem for the environment:
The SkyStar Observation Wheel has bands of exterior booth lights and flashing, rotating designs on the sides — all extremely bright LEDs — that stay lit until 10:00 PM every night. The wheel is brighter than any other lighted object in the western part of San Francisco, allowing it to be seen from more than a mile away.
Our city parks are a vital refuge for wild animals struggling to deal with the loss of habitat and open space. Wildlife needs darkness. Light pollution can have a negative impact on birds — both resident and migrating — as well as bats, insects, amphibians, and other animals. Artificial light can alter an animal’s circadian rhythm, disrupting breeding, foraging, and sheltering cycles. Furthermore, it can draw and disorient some species while repelling others — in both cases, to deadly effect.
Golden Gate Park is one of the few places in San Francisco where wildlife can find refuge at night. And yet, the Recreation and Parks Department has chosen to light the center of one of San Francisco’s major habitat areas with extremely bright LEDs, which remain lit every night, even while the wheel remains closed to the public due to COVID restrictions.
Since its inception, Golden Gate Park has provided the opportunity for families and children from all income levels to enjoy nature close to home; this is especially important for those who do not have easy access to distant natural areas. If our own local nature is continuously infringed upon by artificial attractions — particularly those which harm wildlife — then that deprives those communities of a direct experience with nature.
The wheel was installed by the Recreation and Parks Department as an attraction that would bring people into Golden Gate Park during its 150th Anniversary Celebration. However, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the people of San Francisco have flocked to Golden Gate Park to enjoy it for its primary historic use: as a parkland. A better celebration of the Park would be providing nature tours, educational events, and opportunities for children to learn about the importance of protecting nature in the fight against climate change.
On February 17th, the Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed extensions for the wheel. The Sierra Club has asked that the extension be denied and that the SkyStar Observation Wheel be removed from Golden Gate Park permanently.
What you can do
Speak up for wildlife by:
- Sending a message to the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission, the Recreation and Park Commission, the Board of Supervisors, and the Department of the Environment expressing your opposition to the extension.
- Speaking at the hearing of the Historic Preservation Commission on February 17th at 12:30 PM.
February 05, 2021 at 11:33AM
https://www.sierraclub.org/san-francisco-bay/blog/2021/02/skystar-observation-wheel-golden-gate-park-should-close-protect-our
The SkyStar Observation Wheel in Golden Gate Park Should Close to Protect Our Wildlife - Sierra Magazine
https://news.google.com/search?q=Wheel&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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