San Francisco Advocates Sue to Halt Sunset Dunes Park Closure Petition

A legal challenge has been launched in San Francisco to prevent a ballot measure that seeks to close Sunset Dunes Park and reopen a portion of the Upper Great Highway to vehicles. Advocates argue that the petition contains numerous false and misleading statements designed to deceive voters.

The lawsuit, filed by Friends of Sunset Dunes in conjunction with resident Kimberlee Howley, questions the legality of the petition. The group contends that while opponents of the park have the right to pursue a ballot measure, voters are entitled to accurate information.

“San Francisco voters deserve to make decisions based on accurate information,” stated Zach Lipton, Data Lead with Friends of Sunset Dunes. “We believe that park opponents have resorted to using misleading and plainly false claims in their petition. In reality, it would destroy Sunset Dunes park and limit access for hardworking nurses, hospitality, retail, and service workers. We intend to ensure that all San Franciscans know the truth.”

Misleading Claims and Deceptive Tactics

The petition is accused of employing several deceptive tactics. One of the primary claims challenged is that the former Great Highway serves as a critical emergency evacuation route, a notion that has been repeatedly debunked by the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management and the SF Fire Department.

Furthermore, the petition allegedly misrepresents the proposal as a “restoration” of a prior pilot configuration. In reality, the proposed arrangement would eliminate access for essential workers who work weekends. While the petition claims to restore a pilot that closed the road on Fridays at noon, it actually closes it on Friday evenings at 6 p.m., effectively removing all weekday daylight hours.

The petition also falsely suggests the space is currently suitable for dual use, when in fact, placing private vehicles in the park would necessitate an estimated $12 million expenditure by the city to remove existing park infrastructure and install new traffic signals. The previous signals were noted as being rusted and requiring replacement prior to Proposition K.

Another false claim is that Sunset Dunes slows emergency response times due to the need for alternative routes. Advocates assert that emergency vehicles still have access to the park and that no studies or statistics demonstrate any negative impact on emergency response times west of the Upper Great Highway.

A History of Ballot Attempts

This marks the third attempt by opponents of Sunset Dunes to put the issue before voters. Previous ballot measures in 2022 and 2024 saw voters reject proposals to reopen the highway to cars, with losses of 65% to 35% and 55% to 45%, respectively. An earlier attempt to get a measure reversing these decisions on the June ballot was unsuccessful. The current petition aims for the November ballot.

To qualify for the November ballot, the petition requires 10,582 signatures by July 6.

Sunset Dunes Park has become a highly popular public space since its designation, attracting over 1.7 million visitors in its first year.

Key Facts
| Aspect | Detail |
| :————————- | :———————————————————————- |
| Lawsuit filed by | Friends of Sunset Dunes and Kimberlee Howley |
| Allegation | Petition contains false and misleading statements for voters |
| Petition’s stated goal | Close Sunset Dunes Park, reopen Upper Great Highway to drivers |
| Previous voter outcomes | Park closure measures approved in 2022 and 2024 |
| Signature deadline | July 6 |
| Required signatures | 10,582 |
| Sunset Dunes Park visitors | Over 1.7 million in its first year |

This legal action highlights the ongoing tension between preserving public parkland and the desire by some groups to reinstate vehicular access on the Great Highway. The outcome of the lawsuit will determine whether the petition proceeds to the ballot, where voters will once again have the opportunity to weigh in on the future of this prominent San Francisco public space. The core of the dispute centers on the accuracy of information presented to voters and the definition of “balanced access” to the coastal area.

Source: Streetsblog SF, https://sf.streetsblog.org/2026/06/29/advocates-sue-to-stop-sunset-dunes-petition

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