San Francisco Turns To New Company To Fix Up Stow Lake

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - The longtime operator of Stow Lake may be replaced by an out-of-state management company that would add a restaurant and fix up the popular destination in Golden Gate Park.

A lease with Ortega Family Enterprises, which operates concessions at Muir Woods, Carlsbad Caverns and Death Valley, got preliminary approval Wednesday.

KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:

Opponents say the company's plan to buy new boats, renovate the historic boathouse and put in a small restaurant serving locally grown food amount to crass commercialization of the man-made lake near the 19th Avenue gate.

The vote by the Board of Supervisors Budget Committee marks the first change in the boat house's management in 67 years. The lease still faces a vote by the full board.

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