Developing an amplified sound policy for San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

Abstract

Golden Gate Park in San Francisco hosts many community events, some with amplified sound. Sharon Meadows, near the east end of the Park, hosts events with amplified sound and is in relative close proximity to residential areas. Over the years, neighbors have expressed concern about the level of amplified sound from events at Sharon Meadows. In order to address neighbors’ concerns, a program was initiated by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to develop policies and procedures for monitoring and controlling amplified sound to reasonable levels. The program involved a review of existing city policies for amplified sound, a meeting with affected neighbors to discuss concerns, acoustical measurements during events, and sound propagation testing. The final result was an amplified sound policy that provides limits for sound levels within the park that are based on ambient noise levels in the community. The paper will discuss the development of the policy and the challenges of monitoring and regulating amplified sound in a dynamic urban environment.