By David Kligman
In April, PG&E volunteers helped in the Candlestick Point Community Garden. On June 2, volunteers will return to repair damage caused by vandals and assist in constructing a more secure area.
PG&E isn’t letting the work of vandals dampen the spirit of an Earth Day cleanup at Candlestick Point Recreation Area.
In April, PG&E CEO and Chairman Tony Earley was among 60 PG&E employees who picked up litter, cleared brush and spruced up the Candlestick Point State Recreation Area as part of the utility’s15th annual Earth Day cleanup throughout California.
The following week, vandals broke into a community garden and flipped over tables and destroyed thousands of plants intended for the recently restored Yosemite Slough wetlands area, which will eventually provide residents of Bayview-Hunters Point with a park and waterfront access. Damage was estimated at $18,000.
Earley responded with a personal donation of $1,000. On Saturday (June 2), about 25 PG&E volunteers will return to the area to complete the restoration planting and assist the construction of a taller fence, funded by the utility, to better secure the area. They’ll be joined by volunteers from Virgin America and Oracle.
Alexis Stoxen of the California State Parks Foundation said vandalism at the site has been an ongoing issue, but the latest example was the worst.
Several days after Earth Day, vandals broke into a community garden and destroyed thousands of plants, uprooted garden beds and smashed garden tools.
“It’s been a problem to the point when PG&E heard about it and they said, ‘Let’s do something to put an end to it,’” said Stoxen, who added her appreciation to PG&E. “It’s fantastic and it’s going to make a big difference.”
PG&E is also doing its part to help the California State Parks Foundation by providing a $15,000 grant to support the restoration efforts toward the $20,000 needed to restore the garden at Candlestick Point. For every “like” PG&E receives on its Facebook page, the utility will donate $1 to the nonprofit.
This year, PG&E gave a $280,000 grant to the parks foundation for the supplies and materials required to complete the restoration projects. Since the partnership began, the utility has contributed nearly $2 million.
Email David Kligman at david.kligman@pge.com.
