San Francisco finally closes JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park to traffic

Pedestrians and bicyclists enjoy riding on a closed off section of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park. Several roads were closed around Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park. The area was also fenced off and patrolled by San Francisco Police Officers, Sheriff's and Park Rangers. Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions on public gatherings, the annual 4/20 celebration at Golden Gate Park Hippie Hill was canceled on April 20, 2020. less Pedestrians and bicyclists enjoy riding on a closed off section of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park. Several roads were closed around Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park. The area was also fenced off and patrolled by ... more Photo: Douglas Zimmerman/SFGate Photo: Douglas Zimmerman/SFGate Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close San Francisco finally closes JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park to traffic 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

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It's something San Francisco residents have been asking for repeatedly in recent weeks over social media.

"Please, close John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park so we have a safe place to get out and breathe fresh air during this crisis," are the sorts of messages they've been tweeting to city officials.

S.F. Mayor London Breed heard the call and made an announcement Monday that a portion of the thoroughfare running through the city's largest park will be cut off to traffic, joining a list of streets the city has closed to create safe spaces for outdoor exercise.

Starting Tuesday at 6 a.m., JFK Drive will be closed from Kezar Drive to Transverse Drive throughout the duration of San Francisco’s stay-at-home order, which is being extended through May. This is the same closure that happens on weekends and Breed said that because people are complying with social distancing guidelines in most instances on weekends, "it’s only fair to offer JFK drive" every day of the week.

The mayor also announced the entire Shelley Drive loop in McLaren Park will be cut off to traffic beginning Tuesday to create more space for people to exercise while socially distancing.

Breed said people who want to access the street closures, should not drive to the parks, and instead need to walk there. "We don’t want people setting up picnics or play dates..." she said. "We still need you to socially distance yourselves from people in the park. That is so critical."

She added, “As a way to provide more space for more people to move around because we know there are larger populations using these parks and these areas and it gives you an opportunity to move around safely. We hope this new opportunity adjustment will make this additional extension of time to stay at home a lot more easier for each and every one of you."

The new closure is part of the Slow Streets program started last week on select streets. (Find a map of all closed streets at sfmta.com.) When the program was announced, many were disappointed that JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park wasn't included.

San Francisco District 4 Supervisor Gordan Mar tweeted, "I’d love to see JFK Dr. in Golden Gate Park added to the #SlowStreets network during shelter in place @sfmta_muni."

See a full list of street closures in SF below.

Photo: SFMTA Starting April 21, San Francisco began closing streets around the...

In a press conference Monday, Breed said the street closures will expire as soon as the stay-at-home order is suspended. San Francisco County officials also announced Monday the order that was originally set to expire May 3 will be extended through May.

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Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.