Starr King Open Space Struggles to Raise Money for Maintenance

Starr King Open Space (SKOS), 3.5-acres located along Carolina Street south of 23rd, extending to De Haro Street at 24th, has been maintained by an elected board of directors and neighborhood volunteers since 1984. The Open Space doesn’t receive public funds, instead raising an average $6,000 a year through grants and donations. 

“Last year, donations barely covered our operating expenses,” said SKOS treasurer Debie Abella. “Operating expenses are real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance supplies, and other recurring expenses and do not include extraordinary expenses such as cutting eucalyptus trees or sidewalk repairs.”

“With the storms we received this past winter, we needed to have one eucalyptus tree removed because it was dangerous,” said SKOS secretary James Hetherington. 

A eucalyptus split and fell during the winter 2023/2024 storms, landing just 20 feet from cars parked on the street. There used to be seven eucalyptus trees at the top of SKOS, dubbed “The Seven Sisters.” The five remaining ones are reaching the end of their lives, according to SKOS board member Greg John.

“The trees are not looking great,” he said. “The trunks are splitting, which is very normal, but these are very old, very tired eucalyptus trees. I admire them because they’ve been beaten by the winds, by everything that’s come through there, but eventually, we’re going to have to take some measure to remove them probably for safety.” 

Cutting the eucalyptuses is estimated to cost more than $4,000, funds that need to be raised. The SKOS board would like to replace them with oaks and Monterey cypresses, with residents planting and naming the new trees. 

“The neighborhood would get to see this space as something that’s reflective of their lives, it’s their place,” John said. “It’s the whole City’s place for sure, but the neighborhood is the one that owns it and does the planting.”

On the second Saturday of the month, volunteers establish new flora native to the serpentine habitat and remove invasive species, such as blackberry, vine, clover, and thistle. Native purple spot gilia is thriving. Tufts of native grass are emerging, as well as yellow mariposa lily, which has just two remaining populations in San Francisco, according to SKOS Board President Sarah Burton. 

“We’re proud to have one of them,” she said. “And having the lily connects us to other parts of the county and state. It ties a part of the environment together.” 

“Starr King’s health and vibrance is a direct result of residents’ input, their direct participation,” John said. “Absent the kindness of strangers, we’re looking at a wild patch of land that collects trash and broken glass. It’s because of volunteers that the Open Space is so wonderful.”

John has long been an Open Space fan. He served as Starr King Elementary’s principal from 2010 to 2013 and visited it on particularly bad days. 

“Just being in the high grass there, being under the eucalyptus trees, it had a healing impact on my soul,” he said. “And you see everywhere from there. It’s just a stunning spot.”

“My wife and I are on our third rescue dog, a pit mix, and the Open Space is a great spot to take those dogs for a little exercise,” said Hetherington, a Potrero Hill resident since 1995. “With all the great views, that’s what got me interested in the Open Space but once I got onto the board and started learning more about the flora and fauna that’s there, it’s incredible all the life that carved a place for itself at the Open Space.”

Lately, birders are frequenting SKOS to catch sight of a sage thrasher, not typically found in the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s more commonly at home in deserts, arid areas, shrublands, savannas, and thickets. In winter, the sage thrasher may be spotted on the shores of Baja California, but is rarely since so close to Northern California’s coast. 

“Whatever we accomplish on behalf of the residents of the Hill and on behalf of the entire City happens because of donations from residents and volunteers from the community,” Hetherington said. “Come join us.” 

For more information on Starr King and to volunteer, visit https://starrkingopenspace.org/