While the average park score across the city remained the same at 91%, Aptos and Brooks Park dropped nearly 20% from the last year and were among the three lowest-scoring parks. Other neighborhood parks are doing fairly well.
Parks must have a minimum percentage of 85 to be considered well-maintained and are evaluated by table seating areas, bathrooms, athletic fields and other assets.
The water fountains at Aptos Park have seen better days. | Anne Marie Kristoff/Ingleside Light
Aptos Park scored 90% last year and dropped to 72%. Brooks Park decreased from 93% to 75%.
The reason for the drop, according to San Francisco Recreation and Park Department’s Communications Manager Daniel Montes, is aging infrastructure like aged pathways. But infrastructure upgrades are in the works.
“At Brooks, we’re planning to conduct repaving work along the pathways, anticipated for 2025,” Montes said. “At Aptos, we’re planning to conduct resurfacing work on the tennis courts and address drainage issues on the court as well, also anticipated for 2025.”
Brooks Park has long needed upgrades. | Anne Marie Kristoff/Ingleside Light
Faulty infrastructure has not gone unnoticed by residents near Aptos Park.
Yanni Giannaros, who lives near the park and goes nearly every other day, said that though the park itself is incredible and how a park ranger services it often, he hopes to see certain things implemented like updating the tennis courts and installing lighting near the baseball field.
“Nighttime lighting around the baseball field would be nice just because I have to have a headlamp,” Giannaros said. “It’s kind of sketchy, especially now when it starts getting darker but outside of that, I think it’s fine.”
The play structure at Brooks Park was removed during the pandemic. | Anne Marie Kristoff/Ingleside Light
As for Brooks Park, Shields Street residents Misha Jones and Ahmon Jones, find the park nice and a family go-to spot, noting how the only change they’ve seen is the coyote warning signs. They want additional children's play structures like a slide.
“It’s always been kept up with,” said Ahmon Jones, who grew up going to the park. “It’s always been a nice park.”
Anne Marie Kristoff (she/her) is a recent graduate from San Francisco State University's journalism program. She enjoys writing about the arts, entertainment and nature.
