Although Dolores Park will undergo a lengthy renovation process, a plan that's been in the works for quite some time, this hasn't stopped people from losing their collective feces over the park's estimated year-long closure. Everywhere from SFist's initial post on the closure to comment threads to this Facebook page, folks are curled up in the fetal position, bathed in a pool of their own tears and drool over their precious patch of grass.

But? Many have good reason to nut, since the park would mean certain death for many a Dolo Park goer. "That would totally ruin my social life---and part of my sex life, for where would I meet the new-to-town 26-year-old gay boys?," a friend explains.

Indeed.

Fortunately, the renovations will be done in phases. "The whole park will not be closed or fenced off for the duration of the renovations," notes Dolores Park Works, the folks in charge of the extreme makeover.

How so? Well, according to Dolores Park Works:

Phase 1: The playground remodel, which has been in development by Friends of Dolores Park Playground, Supervisory Bevan Dufty’s office and SF Rec & Parks since 2006. It is scheduled to start in October 2010 and end in April 2011. Please note that this work will be done in the “off season.” The rest of the park will be available during this time if safe access can be provided. YAY!

Phase 2: Initial estimates, and I do mean initial, put the park’s renovation at about 16-17 months. This is a liberal estimate. You know the mantra - under promise and over deliver. From what we’ve heard so far, it doesn’t look like the park will be closed for the entire time. The goal is to limit the impact on the community while ensuring that the work is done efficiently and safely.