SAN FRANCISCO – A controversial park on San Francisco’s west side took another step closer to being a reality. 

Park rangers closed the gate to traffic on the Great Highway on Friday morning and park supporters hope they don’t open again.

At 5 a.m. Friday morning, San Francisco park rangers closed the gate to the Great Highway for what may be the last time. Voters in November approved Proposition K, aimed at transforming two miles of the Great Highway into a park. 

With the closure of the gates, that park is one step closer to reality. 

“It’s something that’s going to take a lot of work to get to the future park that we all dream of,” said park supporter, Lucas Lux. “But, today is day one, and we should be proud of that.”

Opponents to the park say they’ve filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking it, saying park supporters overstepped the authority of the state to determine how roads are used, and say the park plans don’t address environmental concerns. 

Plaintiff Matt Boschetto said today’s closure won’t stop efforts to block the park. 

“It’s certainly long from over,” said Boschetto. “Again, I think we have a great case, and hopefully we see it through court and get justice served there.”

By midday Friday afternoon, work was already underway on Lincoln and the Great Highway, where SFMTA crews were busy re-striping the road and installing signs saying the Great Highway was closed. The Recreation and Parks Department said plans are underway to begin work to open the park next month. 

“Rec and Parks will be adding seating, recreation areas,” said Tamara Barak Aparton from the Recreation and Parks Department. “Signage. All the things that parks need.”

On the first day of the closure, pedestrians began walking up and down the highway. Paul Greer said he enjoyed his stroll and is looking forward to the park officially opening. 

“It’s a safe place to take your family,” said Greer. “I’m thrilled about it. I can’t wait to enjoy it for many more hours to take the kids out. I have a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old and I think it’s going to be great for the community.”

Stephen Gorski lives across the street from the proposed park, and is among those calling for the recall of District Supervisor Joel Engardio over his support of it. 

He said the park will push more traffic into the neighborhood, and is out of step with what people on the west side want. 

“People on the other side of town don’t realize the impact here,” said Gorski. “How would you like it if we just decided to close a major thoroughfare? Like Lombard, say ‘no, no, we’re just going to close this now, figure it out.’ It’s the same thing. If they can do it here, they can do it anywhere.”

For now, lawsuit withstanding, the Rec and Parks department is looking to have a ribbon cutting for the park in mid-April.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Trash and trash cans. It seems like it’s always an issue in San Francisco. Business owners and residents say there just aren’t enough of them.

Gloria Rogan is a real estate agent who lives in Russian Hill.

“We don’t have enough,” said Rogan. “This city has a reputation which it deserves as being a place with a lot of rubbish flying around. It’s kind of all over the place in all different neighborhoods.”

San Francisco Supervisors Matt Dorsey, Danny Sauter, and Bilal Mahmood heard from Recology and the Department of Public Works about the status of trash cans in the city, and how many are needed and how to secure more.

MORE: Here’s a look at San Francisco’s long and expensive trash project

A spokesperson with the Department of Public Works said, “Public Works would be happy to work with your office on scoping out what the costs would look like.”

Business owners and residents lined up to voice their concerns.

Nancy Yu Law owns Love Tea boba shop in Chinatown. She says cardboard boxes from businesses aren’t picked up often enough. Yu Law says the biggest problem — there aren’t enough trash cans.

“It’s not enough in Chinatown. I know that for sure. I have people try and throw their trash into my trashcan by my store,” said Yu Law.

In North Beach, Supervisor Sauter said that it’s possible to walk for several blocks and not see a single trash can.

MORE: SF neighborhood’s ‘trash lake’ to be cleaned up after years of complaints from residents

“Especially during tourist season, a lot of people are here in North Beach and there’s no place for them to throw their trash,” said Brian Connors.

“In my district, that’s really common. In Nob Hill, in Russian Hill. And we want to change that. We know there are a lot of corners that need more trash cans,” said Supervisor Sauter. “Unfortunately, the city has removed a lot of trash cans through the years and I’m trying to change that. I think we need more trash cans and better behavior. And I’d like to see us have both.”

Supervisor Sauter said Thursday hearing was a step in the right direction.

He says Department of Public Works talked about a new trash can design.

“The new trash can designs are being put out to bid right now, I’m hoping those will be put out on the streets in the next year,” said Supervisor Sauter. “We are all interested in cleaner streets. We know San Francisco can do a lot better and should be a lot cleaner.”