In a troubling turn of events, the newly unveiled mural on the Great Highway was vandalized merely a day after the city implemented a closure of the roadway to vehicles, shifting it into a park space. The mural, crafted by artist Emily Fromm, pays homage to the historic amusement park, Playland at the Beach, which closed in 1972.

Community Response to Vandalism

Members of Friends of Ocean Beach Park and the artist have expressed their determination to repair the mural. Local resident Jim Kirk, who has spent his life in San Francisco, voiced his dismay upon witnessing the tagging. “I actually used to go to Playland when I was a little boy… It’s just beautiful, she portrayed the whole thing, the cliff house, and someone came and graffitied over the whole thing,” he said.

The Evolution of the Great Highway

The closure on Friday marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Great Highway—a two-mile stretch dedicated to becoming a park from Lincoln Avenue to Sloat Boulevard. The transition was backed by the passage of Proposition K, a voter-approved measure receiving 55% support in November 2024.

Community Perspectives

While the proposition was favored by some, Kirk revealed his concern about potential drawbacks, stating, “I’m not really for the park either myself… I feel like we need the highway.” His sentiments echoed a common belief among some residents regarding necessary access to the area for emergency services.

Conversely, another Sunset resident, Seth Rosenblatt, shared a different viewpoint, actively supporting the park initiative. He remarked, “People keep forgetting that although two-thirds of The Sunset voted against K that means a third of us voted for it… This is really going to be an incredible thing.” Rosenblatt stopped to photograph the vandalism, expressing disappointment but not attributing it to the park’s closure.

Future of the Mural and Community Art

Despite the vandalism, the Friends of Ocean Beach Park and Fromm are committed to restoring the mural. Fromm noted, “While I do not know why the mural was vandalized, it is likely tied to the conversion of the Great Highway into a park… defacing my art has no bearing on this voter-approved measure.”

To ensure better protection against future vandalism, plans are underway to apply a protective coating to the mural, allowing for easier cleaning if needed.

Conclusion

The emergence of the park from the Great Highway, alongside the vandalized mural, highlights the ongoing dialogue within the community about urban development, access, and the significance of public art. As citizens push for a balance between green spaces and necessary thoroughfares, the future remains complex and contested.