Hold onto your beanies, Bay Area rebels – San Francisco just pulled off the ultimate urban transformation that’s got car lovers fuming and park enthusiasts cheering. 🌊

The former Great Highway has officially been christened “Sunset Dunes” after a naming contest that was more dramatic than your last Tinder date. In a nail-biting 4-2 vote, the Recreation and Parks Commission crowned the new parkland with a name that perfectly captures those windswept, sandy vibes we all know and love.

From Asphalt to Paradise

Recreation and Parks General Manager Phil Ginsburg is calling this the “largest pedestrianization project in California history” – and honey, he’s not exaggerating. This massive urban transformation has already become the third most-visited park in the city, pulling in a whopping 8,000 weekend visitors who are ready to ditch their cars and embrace coastal vibes.

The Name Game

Before settling on Sunset Dunes, the commission hilariously considered some wild contenders like “Dunesday Park” and the internet-famous “Parky McParkface”. Commissioners even had to filter out some not-so-subtle name submissions that were basically personal attacks on local politicians. Drama, we love to see it!

Community Battles and Victories

Not everyone’s thrilled about this car-free paradise. Commissioner Larry Mazzola dramatically proclaimed the park was “forced” on west side residents, even attempting to name it “Reopen the Great Highway Park” – a motion that was swiftly and gloriously defeated.

The park’s grand opening on Saturday promises yoga, Zumba, live music, and enough community spirit to make even the most cynical San Franciscan crack a smile. So grab your reusable water bottle, throw on a layers, and get ready to explore Sunset Dunes – where urban rebellion meets coastal beauty.