SF Park and Recreation Department welcomes veterans to their facilities for free

(SAN FRANCISCO) The Park and Recreation Department welcomes the veterans to come to visit their facilities for free or at a discount rate under the new law proposed by Supervisor Gordon Mar.

The ordinance introduced by Supervisor Gordon Mar was passed last December and grants San Francisco resident veterans free admissions to locations such as swimming pools, Japanese Tea Garden, the Botanical Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, and tennis facilities. Veterans also receive a 50 percent discount for Camp Mather and wedding fees. The new law became in effect on January 22.

Alan Wong, an elected Trustee of the San Francisco City College and a legislative aide to Mar drafting the new law to offer free and discount admission to veterans, and Hanley Chan, the City’s Veterans Affairs Commissioner, went to the Sava Pool in the Sunset District on January 22. But Wong and Chan were held up since the staffs were unfamiliar with the new law.

Two weeks later on February 5, Wong and Chan along with other veterans went to the pool again. They were welcomed by the staff and got into the pool after representing their veteran identifications.

“There was a lack of clarity among our staff at first around the identification aspect of the new law, but that was quickly rectified. Our staff is all trained, and we look forward to welcoming veterans at all of our facilities (including Rossi Pool, which reopened today following a top to bottom renovation), said Tamara Aparton, Spokeswoman of the City’s Park and Recreation Department.

Wong and Chan encourage more veterans to enjoy the extensive services from the Park and Recreation Department in the city.