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San Francisco’s Surprisingly Difficult Quest to Turn a Century-Old Highway into a Park

Summary

San Francisco’s Proposition K, set for a vote on November 5, seeks to close a 2-mile section of the Great Highway to cars, converting it into a park and recreation area. Supporters believe the measure would expand public space, improve coastal resilience to rising seas, and reduce emissions by encouraging biking and walking. Despite broad local support, opposition centers on concerns over increased travel times, business impacts, and lack of a clear park development plan. The proposal represents a growing trend among U.S. cities grappling with vehicle-heavy infrastructure and climate change, aiming to balance public access, environmental health, and practical urban planning.

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