Will teen/community center threaten trees, history and open space?
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| Gunst Mansion at Washington Park |
As plans circulate the City for a new Teen center possibly to be built in Washington Park, echoes of days past are brought to mind. In a San Francisco News article published January 9, 1940 (see picture below) headlines read Site for New Community Center which described the City of Burlingame’s plans to restore the then 40-year old Gunst mansion to serve as part of the City’s newly created recreation system. The seven-acre Gunst property adjoining Washington Park in Burlingame, has been purchased by the City as the latest step in an expansion of the Recreation system, according to the article.
Washington Park’s formal gardens and landmark trees still basically reflect the Gunst estate’s original layout which was discovered recently in 1940’s era landscape drawings uncovered in the Burlingame Historical Society’s archives. One can take comfort in knowing that many of the statuesque trees and mature plantings most likely date back to the turn of the century when the cottage was built.
However, many of the historic attributes of the park may be at risk depending upon the scope of the proposed project. At a sparsely attended meeting of residents and the City’s consultants December 14th, neighbors expressed concerns about losing 60-70 year old trees and potentially losing the 1907 era Lion’s Club Hall to demolition. Nearby residents of the park were also concerned about traffic congestion and parking. A plan to put underground parking beneath the tennis courts did little to ease concerns. Many are encouraging a plan that respects both the original layout of the Gunst estate and gardens, and the history of the park.
The estate, built around 1900 by prominent cigar merchant and San Francisco Police Commissioner Moses Gunst, originally was composed of a 17-room house, a gatekeeper’s lodge, a 6-room home and a 2-story garage. All that remains of the estate today are the gardens, the garage which now houses the Burlingame Historical Society and two historic pillars designed by widely known craftsman, Gaston Rognier. Rognier’s most famous creation is the neo-classical house at 1120 Sanchez Avenue which was one of only four private Burlingame residences listed as significant historic properties in the 1968 reference book 'Here Today, San Francisco’s Architectural Heritage'.
As we look to the future of the Park, let’s not forget to examine its past. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful feat if our City managed to come full circle and recreate the Gunst manse that we lost to arson in 1964. Now that would be a real community center.
If you are interested in the future of the proposed new teen/community center plan on attending the final two public input meetings scheduled for Thursday, January 18th and February 15th at 7 p.m. at The Burlingame Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Avenue. Discussion will include alternative locations,and impacts on parking, traffic,trees, tennis courts, and the Lion’s Hall. See calendar section for more details.
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