City officials yesterday were present for the official completion of pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements to John F. Kennedy Drive, between 8th Avenue and the Conservatory of Flowers.

District 5 Supervisor Vallie Brown, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg, SFMTA interim Director of Transportation Tom Maguire, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Brian Wiedenmeier and WalkSF Communications Director Marta Lindsey were all present for the completion of a new raised crosswalk at 7th Avenue and JFK Drive.

The changes to JFK, dubbed the Golden Gate Park Traffic Safety Improvement Program, include raised crosswalks, red painted floating curbs, new slow turn striping, median extensions, and speed humps.

These changes were all undertaken over the last three years, and address safety concerns in what the city's Vision Zero plan identifies as part of the "high injury network," the city's statistically most dangerous streets for pedestrians.

"We are creating a safer and more inviting space for the city’s largest outdoor landmark," Maguire said.

Adjacent park improvements, not just safety-related, include the concurrent replacement of the pedestrian sidewalk on JFK Drive between Conservatory Drive East and Conservatory Drive West.