Ingleside Terraces Sundial Granted City Landmark Status

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Residents and community members of the Ingleside Terraces neighborhood are celebrating the Board of Supervisors approval of landmarking the sundial and park located on Entrada Court.

Supervisors were unanimous in approving an ordinance in a second reading to landmark the Ingleside Terraces Sundial and Sundial Park at its Sept. 29 meeting. The ordinance still awaits the signature of Mayor London Breed.

Former Board of Supervisors President Supervisor Norman Yee, who represented District 7, began the process to landmark the sundial and park late last year with the process taking nearly 10 months.

The Historic Preservation Commission had to weigh on whether to landmark the sundial and park back in April and supervisors had to hear the ordinance at a committee meeting before the ordinance arrived at the full board last month.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin, the sponsor of the ordinance, called the sundial “very cool” and thanked the Planning Department staff for a “neat” report on the history of the sundial.

“I am very pleased that we are getting more landmarks on the west side of San Francisco, Peskin said at the Sept. 21 meeting. “Thanks to the Historic Preservation Commission and former Supervisor Yee and the Planning Department for bringing this forward.”

Mark Scardina, the longtime president of the Ingleside Terraces Homes Association, said in an email to the Ingleside Light that the neighborhood was pleased to see the “iconic” sundial and park gained landmark status.

“The sundial has been its enduring symbol from its original intended attraction for new homeowners to its current daily use by kids, dog walkers, strollers and neighborhood events,” Scardina said.

Planning Report

A Planning Department report, which cites former Ingleside Light columnist Woody LaBounty’s book “Ingleside Terraces: San Francisco Racetrack to Residence Park,” stated the Ingleside Terraces neighborhood came about when architect Joseph Leonard acquired the one-time race track in 1910 to develop a residence park.

The report stated that Leonard used the sundial and park to lure potential homebuyers from other residence parks that were developing in the city. The sundial and park were completed in 1913 with a dedication ceremony on Oct. 13.

As noted by Scardina, the sundial has been used by kids as a playground as well as place for community gatherings with neighbors. Last weekend, District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who lives next to the sundial, joined neighbors in celebrating the landmarking of the sundial and park.

Scardina said the association has kept up with the landscaping and welcomed visitors to the sundial and park.

“We welcome everyone to come and spend some time at this unique and hidden San Francisco gem,” Scardina said.