Even during the government shutdown we were making progress on Crissy Cam 2!! Just solved the restroom mast installation issue, and waiting on NPS to open back up so we can access the electrical junction box to plan our power install! After that it's really a matter of nailing down all the costs (including low wind-resistance wireless antennas for both masts (restroom and Crissy Field Center) so the profile catching in the wind doesn't shake or vibrate the cameras! As you can imagine, there are lots of details that must be considered in setting this up well the first time!!
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Crissy webcam upgrade status:
1. The existing camera has a relatively new enclosure, so the plan is to upgrade the software to the latest version. This upgrade provides some nice addtions, and the biggest one will be multiple video sizes available to our viewers. We plan to keep the 320x240 on the webcam list.. but offer a 640x480 size for people who want more clarity. I'm not sure how well this option will ultimately work given the camera's high usage as it is shared at the Crissy Field Center... so we'll have to see, and pending how seamlessly the swap works, perhaps make a choice at the time of install and live with the decision. For an example of the larger image, the St. Francis Yacht Club uses SiteProxy and they display the larger 640x480 image..... Here is the URL for a sense of what that looks like: http://12.201.135.206/Race%20Deck/siteproxy.html (their software version is from 2014). 2. The new camera will have larger still images, other additional features, better low light, and we plan to have exclusive PTZ controls for SFBA members (including camera contributors... to whom we should consider providing some length of membership to). Please note that we have not chosen a specific make/model camera yet, as we will consider all options and make a recommendation at a BOD meeting for concurrence as we get closer to confirmation of all the moving parts, at which time we can then purchase all the gear and installation services. 3. We plan to install the new camera on a new mast on the roof of the Crissy restroom; the implementation of which is more challenging than when we planned, designed and built the dog wash. To be fair, the last quarter of the Federal fiscal year, the Holidays and now the Govt shutdown haven't helped move things along. We are still working on the OK for the infrastructure (power to the roof, new mast, wireless equip at each end) and timing. Yes, timing. There will be some restroom maintenance upgrades in the near (?) future, and to-date the Master Coordination Meeting and the decision to wait or not remains a missing-link. 4. Our POCs at GGNPC are very supportive and are working to move it along as mindfully as they can.. and please continue to be patient (at this stage its a virtue!) and please be reminded that it is a federal project!!! Royce Beach, also known as Radio Beach has become a significant launch and teaching spot for kiters, pioneered by KGB Kiteboarding of Emeryville. That site, formerly a part of the Port of Oakland and now under the jurisdiction of the East Bay Regional Park District, is part of a larger area slated to become part of the East Shore State Park. With demolition of the old bridge nearing completion, plans to make the larger area into Gateway Park began to move forward. The initial documents failed to recognize the kiteboarding activity at the site. SFBA worked with the East Bay Regional Park District and their consultants to make sure that the final EIR for the project recognizes and protects existing uses. https://mtc.ca.gov/our-work/plans-projects/recreation-open-space/gateway-park
There is also more information on the results of our work here: http://www.sfba.org/blog/toll-plazaroyce-beach-radio-beach-gateway-park-final-eir-released SFBA worked with local kiters, the East Bay Regional Park District, and BCDC’s Design Review Board to make sure those improvements protect the kiteboarding use that have been going on for over a decade. Kudos to Andrew Sullivan for organizing the local sailors and leading the negotiations to a successful outcome. A copy of the final plans can be found on page 8 of this link: http://www.ebparks.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=30403
From Chris Barton at EBRPD: "Hi Andrew - Our Board approved a construction contract this afternoon. We will be sending out public notification in the next few days but wanted to give you a heads up. Construction may start in August. The beach area should partially re-open by the end of this year(2018). The new parking lot and “open area” will remain a construction zone for the Bay Trail work which will continue into fall of 2019. The beach, new restrooms and overlook will all be accessible during this period." Thanks in part to the efforts of Dave Fielder. The East Bay Regional Park District has awarded a construction contract for improvements to the rigging area, path and breakwater that will increase the ease of using the site. Construction is expected to start in mid-September and be conclude by October, 2018.    Photo by Kevin Kan. Unfortunately, ferry riders liked the new pavement just as well as windsurfers and kayakers, and got there earlier. Windsurfers arrived to find the parking lot full on numerous occasions. SFBA has worked with the City, who has met with the two ferry operators and instructed them to have their customers park elsewhere, and things have improved. Long term parking designations are in the works for next year.
Did you suffer last week without the Crissy Cam? So did we, and it reminded us that it is time for an upgrade to the old technology! The San Francisco Board Sailing Association (SFBA), along with generous sponsors, has supported the Crissy Field Web Cam at East Beach for over twenty years. Maintenance and housing of the camera has been the result of a positive partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. This camera is a valuable tool to sailors, law enforcement, the Coast Guard, and other federal agencies, in addition to daily water users who check it many times a day! The time has come for a complete upgrade of hardware and software. This will result in a huge increase in performance, usability, and reliability. The SFBA has identified a reliable vendor who has been approved by the Parks Conservancy to assist with the new install. The $4120 cost for this upgrade will include the camera itself, updated software, and installation costs: $2500: New camera -- the Axis Q6055 (HD 1080p and 32Xs zoom) PTZ camera $1500: Software and installation costs $ 120: fundraiser expense We have set up a gofundme campaign here: https://www.gofundme.com/crissy-webcam-upgrade please visit and donate. Thank you for your support! San Francisco Board Sailing Association P.S. – Join the SFBA!!!! How often do YOU check the Crissy Webcam?! The Crissy Webcam is brought to you by the San Francisco Boardsailing Association (SFBA), a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to boardsailing access and safety. Now would be a great time to join or renew your SFBA membership! http://www.sfba.org/membership.html  SFBA and other SME are working to prepare a letter to California State Lands Commission to provide feedback on conceptual designs and plans for 410 Airport Blvd. our goal is to ensure kite-boarding is considered and accommodated for. We have a deadline of July 23rd and will keep the community posted.  On July 6th, 2018 we were happy to welcome Supervisor David Pine and his respected team: Michael Barber and Samuel Hosmer, and also with them Jennifer Liu of Foster City Park Planning.
Our respected Site Stewards - Mandi Browning, Robert Tillman and Tony Parsons were there to greet the team and show the sport. Mr Ben Botkin our trusted ally in ABAG ran the meeting very efficiently and ensured all aspects are discussed. The results, in the words of Micheal Barber: "Thank you for the excellent presentation and tour of the kite surfing site last Friday. I was already very excited by the potential of the site based on my first visit in March. That enthusiasm is now shared by Supervisor Pine, along with Hilary and Marcus, from the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability. At this point in time, we will need to strategist internally and discuss in more detail with Jennifer and other staff in the city of Foster City. As we discussed during the tour, we will need to identify who would be the lead agency for this project going forward. This will take a few weeks. We will circle back with you as soon as we have more information to share with you." The SFBA has been working with Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and its consultancy firm, ICF, to ensure that Kiteboarding is accommodated for and considered in the EIR regarding the Toll Plaza area.
The Final EIR was released by MTC in early July 2018 and can be found on the MTC web site: https://mtc.ca.gov/our-work/plans-projects/recreation-open-space/gateway-park We would like to point you to several additions and changes that we were able to achieve in the FEIR and Responses to Comments
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AuthorsSFBA Board Archives
February 2019
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