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Emergency Alert

COVID-19 Update Statewide Stay-at-Home Order Lifted, San Francisco Enters Purple Tier Read On... Camp Mather to Remain Closed in 2021 Read On...

Newly Renovated Willie "Woo Woo' Wong Playground & Clubhouse Opens in Time for Lunar New Year

New open space in Chinatown will provide safe, clean place for kids and their families to play, and newly renovated clubhouse will operate as a Community Hub in March Read on...
Summer Jobs for Teens

Teens ages 14-17 can gain valuable work experience this summer making $17.16/hour Read on...
New Podcast Episode: Can't Stop Love

This Valentine’s Day, love takes center stage as several couples realize that there’s no time like a pandemic – and no place like Golden Gate Park – to set the scene for a romantic proposal. Read on...
2020 Community Report

Read our annual community report with highlights from the past year Read on...
Entwined Opens as a part of Holiday Lights in Golden Gate Park

Entwined, the highly anticipated outdoor public art installation in Golden Gate Park, is now open! No tickets or reservations are required to visit. Read on...
Renovated Golden Gate Park Dog Training Area Opens Saturday

San Francisco’s largest fenced dog park will re-open Saturday, February 6 following a $2.4 million renovation that includes separate areas where big and small dogs can safely frolic, natural elements to climb and jump, and a new surface to run and play. Read on...
Golden Gate Park Observation Wheel Seeks Extension to 2025

The San Francisco Recreation Department will seek to extend the 150-foot SkyStar Observation Wheel’s stay in Golden Gate Park to March 1, 2025 due to the impacts of COVID-19, Rec and Park announced today. Read on...
Camp Mather to Remain Closed in 2021

Camp Mather, the City-owned family summer camp in the High Sierra wilderness, will remain closed in 2021 due to Covid-19 risks, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today. Read on...
Local Contractor Approved for Cleanup of India Basin Shoreline

SF Recreation and Park Commission awarded construction contract to local firm Rubecon Builders for remediation work. Read on...
French Sculpture La Rose des Vents by Jean-Michel Othoniel Takes Up Permanent Residence in GGP

Nine months after it was originally scheduled to be permanently installed to coincide with Golden Gate Park's 150th anniversary celebrations in April 2020, the glistening gold sculpture returns to its place in front of the Conservatory of Flowers. Read on...
Ropes Challenge Course Opens in McLaren Park

Community members sharpen leadership skills, experience treetop thrills. Read on...
Mayor London Breed Announces Free Year-Round Admission to Gardens of GGP for Low-Income Families

Visitors to gardens enrolled in government food assistance programs can visit the Botanical Garden, Conservatory of Flowers, and Japanese Tea Garden year-round at no cost. Read on...
Flywheel Puts Finishing Touch on Golden Gate Park’s East End Improvements

Haight Ashbury neighbors & Golden Gate Park lovers are celebrating the completion of a $5.5 million project transforming the eastern edge of Golden Gate Park into a vibrant, pedestrian friendly area, the SF Recreation & Park Department announced. Read on...
Margaret Hayward Playground Reopens

Margaret Hayward Playground has reopened following a $28 million renovation that transformed the beloved 6-acre park in the heart of the Western Addition into a modern hub for recreation Read on...
Whimsical Wonderland of Lights Coming to Golden Gate Park

An art installation coming to Golden Gate Park will transform Peacock Meadow into an enchanted forest of otherworldly shapes and ever-changing light Read on...
City Playgrounds Reopen

Mayor London N. Breed, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg, and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax today announced the City’s outdoor playgrounds are now open Read on...
Golden Gate Park ‘Slow Streets’ Creates Virtually Car-Free Route from Ferry Building to Ocean

Walkers, bikers, runners and skaters can now enjoy a virtually car-free route from the east end of Golden Gate Park to the ocean Read on...
$fracchia$

High School Students Make History in Writing Contest

Three history-loving teen writers will be awarded the 2020 Fracchia Prize by San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed and the Golden Gate Park walking tours they designed will be made available to the public for free Read on...
SF Rec and Park to Offer Low-Cost Outdoor Space for Fitness Providers

Gyms, exercise studios and other fitness providers hit hard by health-mandated closures could inexpensively hold classes outdoors in city parks under a proposed program that would slash licensing costs by more than 90 percent. Read on...
Challenge Ropes Course Breaks Ground in McLaren Park

Construction on a high ropes challenge course teaching youth leadership and character development in John McLaren Park kicked off today, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced. Read on...
Japanese Tea Garden to Re-Open Wednesday

The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park will officially re-open its doors to the public Wednesday, July 22 with modifications to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today. Read on...
SF Rec and Park Opens New Park in Rincon Hill

Guy Place Mini Park, a new and peaceful open space amid the skyscrapers of Rincon Hill, is now open! Read on...
Have you Herd? New Bison Cams Let Viewers Observe Golden Gate Park’s Shaggy Behemoths from Home

Fans can join the bison as they graze, gallop and explore their surroundings in the park; a special educational page provides fun learning activities for kids and families Read on...
Historic Geneva Car Barn and Powerhouse Reborn as Youth Arts Hub

Work is complete on a meticulous renovation of the Geneva Car Barn and Powerhouse, part of San Francisco’s railway history in the Excelsior District, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today. Read on...
Golden Gate Park “Pop-Up” Welcome Center Opening June 15

The bright and colorful refurbished freight container will operate under social distance guidelines with a portion of sales supporting local merchants and Golden Gate Park programs. Read on...
San Francisco Botanical Garden to Reopen June 1 with Additional Safety Measures

The San Francisco Botanical Garden will re-open to visitors Monday, June 1 with modifications in place to ensure public safety and prevent the spread of COVID-19, Garden officials announced today. Read on...
SF Examiner: Proposed November Bond Measure Would Invest $200 Million in Parks

From connecting the community to a clean, restored shoreline in the Bayview to providing safe plazas, rec centers & gathering spaces for families in SOMA, Vis Valley & the Western Addition, a proposed bond for November would invest $200 million in parks Read on...
SF Chronicle: Shaming the shamers: why San Franciscans need to stop finger-pointing

This article courtesy of the SF Chronicle reveals how concern over Shelter in Place violators can veer into harassment of innocent people. Victims of this misguided shaming include our emergency child care workers and the children in their care. Read on...
#GGP150 Concert Series: A Special Summer Solstice Performance and Comedy Day Classics in the Park

Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary virtual concert series will continue to bring classic performances from the park to visitors during the month of May. Organizers announced 2 specially-produced music & comedy concerts on May 16 & May 30, respectively. Read on...
SF Closes GGP's JFK Drive & McLaren Park's Shelley Drive to Vehicles

Road closures will help people maintain required physical distance when walking, running, or biking in Golden Gate Park and John McLaren Park. Read on...
GGP Virtual Concert Series Adds Special Livestream Performances for Kids & Families to Line-Up

Latin GRAMMY Award-winning musician MISTER G and special guests Michael Franti and Narada Michael Walden celebrate Earth Day and Golden Gate Park in April 25 livestream concert. Read on...
SF Extends Emergency Child & Youth Care Until End of School Year

The Recreation and Park Department will keep centers open until at least June 2nd to provide care for children of health care workers, first responders, and other essential City employees. Read on...
GGP Marks 150th Birthday by Launching Virtual Concert Series

The virtual concert series will feature musical performances in the park throughout its history, including Boz Scaggs and Metallica, hometown favorites, to headline the first two virtual concerts beginning April 4. Read on...
April 4 Golden Gate Park 150th Anniversary Celebration to be Rescheduled

Organizers of Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary celebration announced today that a parkwide birthday event on Saturday, April 4, 2020 is being rescheduled for a date later this year. Read on...
Turk-Hyde Mini Park Re-Opens Following Renovation

Turk-Hyde Mini Park, an oasis for preschoolers and their parents in the heart of the Tenderloin, re-opened with updated play equipment and landscaping Read on...
Golden Gate Park to Welcome Five New Bison

The 1-year-old females will be ready for visitors during the parkwide 150th Birthday Celebration on April 4 Read on...
State Awards $8.5 Million for Waterfront Park in India Basin

Project will transform a vacant industrial lot in the Southeastern neighborhood into the City’s newest park Read on...
San Francisco Kicks Off Yearlong Celebration of Golden Gate Park's 150th Anniversary

Volunteers planted 150 trees, part of 150 improvement projects underway in the park during 2020. Key partnerships, events and attractions were unveiled, including details for the free Community Day on April 4th . Read on...
Focus on Equity Will Increase Access to Camp Mather for Low-Income Residents

Recent Recreation and Park Department initiatives, with support from First 5 San Francisco, enable 132 low-income families to attend Camp Mather for free or at a discounted rate this summer. Read on...
Community Brings Light to Tenderloin with Holiday Tree Tradition

Joy and neighborhood pride flowed in Boeddeker Park this evening as city leaders joined residents and community groups at the 2nd Annual Tenderloin People’s Holiday Tree Lighting. Read on...
SF Parks Score High, Continue to Improve in Maintenance, Report Finds

San Francisco’s parks were better maintained across the city over the past fiscal year, with less disparity between neighborhoods and continued improvements to formerly lower scoring properties, according to a Controller’s Office report Read on...
150-Foot Observation Wheel to Offer ‘Bay to Breakers’ Views for Riders During Golden Gate Park’s 150

San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and San Francisco Parks Alliance to lead yearlong celebration to honor “Everybody’s Park” Read on...
North Beach Celebrates Re-Opening of Washington Square

Improvements will Conserve 2 Million Gallons of Water Annually Read on...
Community Celebrates Sport Court Makeover at Potrero Rec Center

Project made possible by San Franciscans for Sports and Recreation Read on...
Sloane Stephens Celebrates Upcoming Tennis Center with SF Kids

Tennis pro coaches elementary school kids from Tennis & Learning Center program Read on...
New Sports Field Celebrated at Silver Terrace Playground

Bayview neighbors, kids, and city officials were celebrating the ground beneath their feet today with the completion of a major overhaul of Silver Terrace Playground’s athletic field Read on...
NFL Players, Veterans Attend Day of Service at Alemany Farm

Former and current NFL players teamed up with local veterans and their supporters to weed, mulch, plant and build today at the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department’s Alemany Farm. Read on...
SF Rec and Park Commission to Consider Operator for Golden Gate Park Tennis Center

Read on...
Two Hiroshima Survivor Trees Planted in Japanese Tea Garden

George and Charlotte Shultz Honored for Disarmament Work Read on...
Kaiser Permanente Contributes $1.6 Million to Provide Safe and Imaginative Playgrounds for San Franc

LetsPlaySF! to transform 13 timeworn playgrounds used by 20,000 kids, with focus on equity Read on...
‘Presidio Wall Playground’ Moves Forward to Replace Julius Kahn

Read on...
Community Celebrates Renovation of Potrero Hill Rec Center Grounds

Improvements include upgraded ball fields, lighting, pathways, sports equipment. Read on...
State Conservation Grants to Benefit Kids, Seniors, Snakes

Projects at McLaren Park, Sharp Park receive funding Read on...
Due South Concert Series to be Held at McLaren Park

Mexican Institute of Sound, Helado Negro, Giraffage, and Astronautica among acts at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater Read on...
Alice Chalmers Playground Receives $30,000 for Makeover

Grant awarded by the National Recreation and Park Association and The Walt Disney Company Read on...
SF Rec and Parks Head Phil Ginsburg Appointed to State Parks Commission

Read on...
New Sport Courts Open at Hayes Valley Playground

Improvements include innovative street art basketball court Read on...
In Chan Kaajal Community Garden Wins Livability Award

Read on...
Coit Tower Café to Open at Iconic Landmark

SAN FRANCISCO – Sightseers will soon be able to take in a panini or cannoli alongside Coit Tower’s breathtaking views. Read on...
Street Soccer to Kick Off Sunday at Civic Center

SAN FRANCISCO – Get ready to kick off a summer of street soccer in the heart of San Francisco. Read on...
TPC Harding Park Hosts Inaugural SF Pride Golf Tournament

Read on...
World Cup Fever! SF Rec and Park Adds Additional Watch Party Friday for USA v. France

Read on...
New Mural on Historic Shipwright’s Cottage Celebrates India Basin Community

Festivities included a free Warriors watch party Read on...
Women’s World Cup to Play Live on the Big Screen at SF Parks

Read on...
2019 Conservatory Lighting and Summer Solstice Concert Announced

Read on...
Plans Brewing for Flywheel Coffee Kiosk in Golden Gate Park’s East End

Read on...
SF Recreation and Park Department Breaks Ground on Five Playgrounds

Work begins on project that will transform play for 20,000 children Read on...
SF Rec and Parks Breaks Ground on $27M Tennis Center

Read on...
McLaren Park Welcomes Improved Community Garden, New Rain Garden

SAN FRANCISCO – City leaders and community members today celebrated the opening of side-by-side environmental features at McLaren Park: A renovated oasis for community gardeners and a new rain garden system to manage stormwater. Read on...
Randall Museum Science Fair Winners Head to State Championships

SAN FRANCISCO – Budding scientists from middle schools across San Francisco will compete in a Bay Area-wide science fair later this month after distinguishing themselves at a citywide competition held at the Randall Museum. Read on...
SF Rec and Park Rolls Out 10 New Sport Wheelchairs for Public Use

Read on...
India Basin Project Receives $5 Million in Funding

SAN FRANCISCO – A plan to rehabilitate a long-vacant bayside lot in San Francisco’s India Basin and turn it into a waterfront park took a step forward with the allocation of a $5 million grant toward tidal restoration and site cleanup. Read on...
New Trail Through Oak Woodlands Dedicated to Phil Arnold

Multi-use trail in Golden Gate Park opened today Read on...
Stern Grove Tops List of 2018 Nuptial Spots

Stern Grove Tops List of 2018 Nuptial Spots in SF Parks Rec and Parks’ podcast explores love in the parks Read on...
SF Residents: Parks Make City More Livable

Poll reveals 78 percent favorability Read on...
Restroom Monitor Program Expands to Seven Additional Park Locations

Park Stop promises clean, safe park bathrooms in neighborhoods that need them most Read on...
Recreation and Park Commission Approves Outside Lands Contract Extension

San Francisco Recreation and Park commissioners today unanimously approved a contract extending San Francisco Recreation and Park Department’s contract with Another Planet Entertainment for the production of the annual Outside Lands Music Festival. Read on...

Feb 27
North Lake Volunteer Workparty
Join the members of the Audubon Society and the SF...
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Visitacion Valley Greenway Volunteer Workparty
Join the Friends of the Visitaction Valley Greenwa...
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Alvord Lake Volunteer Project
Join the SFRPD gardeners and the Alvord Lake Task ...
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Mar 2
PROSAC
Park and Open Space Advisory Committee (PROSAC)
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Mar 3
Heron's Head Park Volunteer Workparty
Join the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Depart...
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Recreation and Park Capital Committee Meeting
The Recreation and Park Department is governed by ...
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Eyes on the City 2021 Online Gala Opening
Join the Harvey Milk Photo Center and the Universi...
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Mar 4
Recreation and Park Operations Committee Meeting
The Recreation and Park Department is governed by ...
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Mar 6
Clean & Green with the Friends of Lafayette Park
Please join the Friends of Lafayette Park for a &q...
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Alamo Square Park Greening
Volunteers needed for Park Greening Day! Come out...
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Photographer of Marin County: A Day in the Life of Donald Kinney
Join the Harvey Milk Photo Center for a free live ...
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Mar 13
Legion of Honor Volunteer Project
Volunteering with the Friends of the Legion of Hon...
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Strawberry Hill Butterfly Habitat Restoration Project
If you love your parks, and are looking for a mean...
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Duboce Park Volunteer Workparty
Join the Friends of Duboce Park at a monthly volun...
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Alta Plaza Volunteer Workparty
Join the Friends of Alta Plaza Park for a “Cleanin...
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About Us

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department currently manages more than 220 parks, playgrounds and open spaces throughout San Francisco, including two outside city limits—Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. The system includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, sports fields and numerous small-to-medium-sized clubhouses that offer a variety of sports- and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages. Included in the Department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo and Lake Merced.

In 2017, San Francisco became the first city in the nation where all residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, a direct result of the Department’s commitment to increasing and improving parkland in the city. Learn More