San Francisco is once again preparing for a voter showdown over the fate of a two-mile oceanfront roadway that has become a focal point of intense political conflict. A ballot measure seeking to dismantle Sunset Dunes Park and restore vehicle access to the Great Highway has officially qualified for the November ballot.
This measure aims to reverse Proposition K, approved by voters in 2024, which transformed the former roadway into Sunset Dunes Park. The park, which opened in April 2025, features picnic areas, hammocks, fitness equipment, skate and bike amenities, and seating overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Supporters of the new measure argue that reopening the Great Highway is necessary to restore a key transportation corridor and improve neighborhood traffic circulation.
Opponents of the park's dismantling decry the new proposal as an expensive and unnecessary attempt to undo a decision already made by voters. They contend that demolishing the park and restoring the roadway would cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, with no significant upside. Data, they claim, debunks remaining traffic concerns, and local businesses are reportedly flourishing due to the park's existence.
An analysis from city agencies, including the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, estimates the cost to dismantle Sunset Dunes and restore the roadway at over $14 million, with opponents suggesting the total could approach $20 million once demolition and related work are complete. Proponents of the park's preservation, including State Sen. Scott Wiener and a majority of the Board of Supervisors, argue that the measure would destroy a successful new public space and is a cynical attempt to undo a positive adaptation to climate change.
The Great Highway has been a contentious issue in San Francisco for the past six years, initially closing to regular traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic as a temporary measure. This evolved into a sustained debate encompassing transportation, recreation, climate adaptation, and quality of life. In 2022, voters approved Proposition I, making the closure permanent and setting the stage for the creation of Sunset Dunes Park.
However, the controversy persisted. Last September, residents led a successful recall effort against then-Supervisor Joel Engardio, who championed the creation of Sunset Dunes. Critics argued that Engardio neglected community input and that the Great Highway closure negatively impacted commute times and neighborhood parking. That recall election, along with the campaign for Proposition K, involved significant political spending.
Mayor Daniel Lurie also became indirectly involved in the controversy following the brief tenure of his appointed successor, Beya Alcaraz, as Sunset supervisor, due to past issues at her former pet store. Lurie's subsequent appointee, Alan Wong, is reportedly supporting the current ballot measure.
Supporters of reopening the Great Highway argue that the new measure would still maintain a partial closure, prohibiting vehicle traffic from Fridays at 6 p.m. to Mondays at 4 a.m. They believe that public sentiment has shifted as understanding of the park's impact and usage has grown, leading to increased support for revisiting the decision.