Sign warning of used needles removed from Golden Gate Park playground after causing a stir

A warning sign at an art studio in Golden Gate Park touches off a flurry of concern over drug needles at a nearby popular children’s playground in San Francisco. https://t.co/82r5hQIZV5 pic.twitter.com/bXI5cPYOkX — NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) March 13, 2018

A warning of hypodermic needles near a children's playground in Golden Gate Park sparked community concern, but San Francisco Recreation and Park Department says the sign isn't linked to a specific incident officially reported to the city.

"There were no 311 reports of needles found at the playground near Sharon Arts Building AND Sharon Arts Building area in 2017 to date AND no 311 report of needles found at playground near Sharon Arts between 2014 and 2017," a statement from Rec and Park spokesperson Connie Chan reads.

Chan says the sign was put up on the exterior of the arts building adjacent to Koret Children's Quarter because "well-meaning" staff are aware of the drug activity in neighborhoods surrounding the park.

"Our City's parks are not immune to the challenges of urban living and our staff is trained to respond promptly and on proper disposal," Chan said in her statement. "We encourage the public to call 311 immediately to report any incidents."

Needles left behind on the hill where many homeless camp in Potrero Hill, San Francisco, Calif., Friday, October 16, 2015. Needles left behind on the hill where many homeless camp in Potrero Hill, San Francisco, Calif., Friday, October 16, 2015. Photo: Sarah Rice, Special To The Chronicle Photo: Sarah Rice, Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Sign warning of used needles removed from Golden Gate Park playground after causing a stir 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

The sign was posted last winter and remained until Rec and Park removed it Monday. It's now in the news as a Reddit user shared an image of the sign along with the statement, "Sad state of affairs in my city that this sign has to be posted at Children's Playground."

In the comments, many shared concern around the issue of used needles being freely deposited around the city.

"This whole city needs that warning," wrote one.

"It seems to be much worse now than the last 3 years," shared another. "Seen two groups actively shooting up on 2nd and mission, broad daylight and a regular flow of people. Also used needles on bart, caps off and blood in the syringe."

"I used to work in SOMA and seeing this was a daily occurrence for me," wrote another.

ALSO, Needles in sandboxes? Parents upset over drug litter at S.F.'s schools and parks

Public health officials estimate 22,000 intravenous drug users inhabit the city, and the issue of hypodermic needles seems to be an increasing problem.

The city advises those who find needles to report them by contacting 311.

Call volume data from 311 reveals that in 2017 the city received some 6,332 reports of sharps around the city, while 4,233 calls were made to 311 reporting needles in 2016.

VIDEO: Hundreds of dirty hypodermic needles dumped in Duboce Triangle

What's more, 311 data from fiscal year 2015–16 revealed that reports of needles increased by 39 percent since the prior fiscal year, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

In an attempt to address the issue of open drug use and discarded needles on SF streets, the city is opening its first two safe injection sites where users can inject drugs under supervision, according to the Chronicle. At these facilities, dirty needles will be collected.