Off the Grid eyeing Mission park, neighbors a bit wary

Off the Grid wants to bring its roving food truck operation to a Mission park on Saturday evenings, a plan that’s being met with caution by neighbors.

The company is proposing a pilot program that would bring 8 to 12 food trucks to Jose Coronado Playground, scruffy fenced-in courts and a kid’s play area on 21^st between Folsom and Shotwell streets, possibly from 5 and 9 p.m. The city’s Recreation and Park Department wants to hear from the community so it can gauge support for the idea.

Shotwell resident Shawn Case, who has set up a website for neighbors to weigh in on Off the Grid’s proposal, said most who have left comments so far support it, “with caveats.”

“Nobody’s issue is really with Off the Grid,” he said. “Most people think it’s worth a shot if it’s done right.”

As it stands, upkeep and public urination are big problems, Case said, as well as groups of men who hang out at Jose Coronado, drinking. Neighbors complain that the city largely ignores the park and want the money that’s generated by allowing Off the Grid to go specifically to improvements there.

Although Off the Grid has pledged to clean up after each event, Case said he worries about trash left in outlying areas that the company is not responsible for.

“We’re trying to figure out if any of this comes to pass who’s going to take responsibility,” he said.

A representative of Off the Grid referred questions to the rec and park department. Connie Chan, an agency spokeswoman, said in an email that nothing has been fleshed out yet.

“Our goal is to activate the playground so that it is a fun, clean and safe place for everyone to enjoy,” she wrote.