When we last left the bonfire debate at Ocean Beach, it was looking like there was going to be a crack down. Considering we have friends who went down to the beach over the weekend to burn some Christmas trees, we don't think anything has happened as of yet. Well, it looks like a compromise is set to take place as officials are in talks with "bonfire advocates" to build about twenty fire rings where bonfires could be held.
The fire rings would be designated places where bonfires could happen. There would be signs letting everyone know what the deal is with the hope that people would only build bon fires in those designated areas and also know to clean up. This, hopefully, would alleviate the problem of people leaving their trash around and there being really nobody to pick it up.
And there's an extra twist to all of this in that the so-called "bonfire advoctes" are Burners Without Borders, a Burning Man group. So expect every bon fire to be incredibly pretentious and for everyone who attends to not shut up about what a religious experience it was. They're actually going to hold a contest for artists out there to design the rings from which winners would be selected. They hope to be able to buld the thing by Earth Day, of course. As for funds, the Park Service would spring for the bill but there is the possibility of private funds to come in to help.
Also helping is Surfrider Foundation who are promising to help clean up the beach if bonfires are to be allowed.
Picture from the SF Examiner
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Grrrr... The fires at Ocean Beach make a big mess. It's hard to not want them to be banned, but I have a dog and believe the pretentious burners (haven't they heard of smog) and the self absorbed dog people have to work together to make sure that the beach stays San Francisco's beach. It sure ain't no pristine national park that so many of the native plant nazis think it is. Still, everyone who is interested in this should go to the beach at 6:30 in the morning on a Monday after a nice weekend. Your opinion of people will not be high after seeing the huge mess people leave behind. Broken bottles, diapers, food, sleeping bums. It's a mess and I stopped taking my dog there because the human impact was too large and detrimental.
I was at Ocean beach on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, and the same group of 4 or 5 burned out christmas trees were splattered across the sand, just where the dunes start, so thank your friends for me for not cleaning up their mess.
How about all the dog poop I have to skirt around when walking through the dunes at Ocean Beach? ...Or all the dog poop I have to skirt around in Golden Gate Park, the sidewalk, etc.?
I know I pick up my dog's poop and can't stand people who don't. However, there are about 150,000 dogs in San Francisco and if we were like Paris (which we try to emulate), the city would be at least a foot deep in dog poop.
In the end, people do far more damage to the environment by breaking bottles, burning tar covered logs, and human pooping (people should have the same rules that Harvey Milk put in for dogs.)
As I thought about this story, I find it funny they are going to attempt to build anything on Ocean Beach considering the wind and the tides. I really do wonder if the National Park Service know anything about the land they "manage."
I know I pick up my dog's poop and can't stand people who don't. However, there are about 150,000 dogs in San Francisco and if we were like Paris (which we try to emulate), the city would be at least a foot deep in dog poop.
In the end, people do far more damage to the environment by breaking bottles, burning tar covered logs, and human pooping (people should have the same rules that Harvey Milk put in for dogs.)
As I thought about this story, I find it funny they are going to attempt to build anything on Ocean Beach considering the wind and the tides. I really do wonder if the National Park Service know anything about the land they "manage."