Dear Friends, Neighbors and Garden Visitors,
Pennsylvania Garden in Potrero Hill is on the Caltrans-owned Mariposa Street off ramp, that lets out onto residential Pennsylvania Avenue.
Caltrans wants us to remove several features that are the result of the hard work and donations of many Potrero Hill residents, namely the front entrance arch, the wooden trellis, brickwork paths and the tool storage cabinet. They also want to prevent us from installing the garden bench that is almost complete.
The reasoning behind this is that these structures are not allowed in the Caltrans Adopt-a-Highway program, and they are concerned that a bench would encourage homeless activity.
Our reasoning in having them is that this is not a stretch of freeway, but rather a circle used by people with kids and dogs to relax in, as well as a wildlife habitat. Garden structures are appropriate. Since the garden was planted, homeless people have not taken up residence in the garden, nor have vandals graffitied the walls - evidence that the "broken window theory" is working. More and more people can be seen walking through the garden and enjoying it.
It is the aim of this petition to convince Caltrans to relax their rules somewhat to allow functional and decorative garden items to remain, since they bring so much to the garden: a place to safely store tools, a place to relax in the shade, a path to walk on or an arch from which to hang the hummingbird feeder, and on which to grow vines.
I hope you'll sign the petition! Thank you.
We the undersigned wish Caltrans to relax the Adopt-a-Highway program rules to allow garden features like arches, benches and brick paths to remain in Pennsylvania Garden.
The community has come together to build this garden and these features. Since this is not a stretch of deserted freeway, but a community meeting spot, these features are appropriate to the beautification of the neighborhood.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and considering our request.
