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Pilot Program Welcomes Food Trucks to Great Highway

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department today announced the launch of a three-month pilot program for food trucks on the Upper Great Highway during days the roadway is closed to vehicle traffic. Read on...
Mayor Breed & Senator Wiener Announce Funding for Buchanan Mall

Project will receive $4.8 million in state funding secured by Senator Wiener for improvements. Read on...
Winter Lights to Brighten Holiday Season in Golden Gate Park

Special events and illuminated installations to dazzle parkgoers this holiday season. Read on...
Where to Play Pickleball in the City

The Recreation and Park Department has worked to accommodate the growing interest in pickleball in San Francisco by significantly increasing the locations available to play pickleball. Read on...
City Launches Next Phase to Determine Post-Pandemic Future of JFK Drive

Golden Gate Park Access and Safety Program asks public to weigh in on proposed updates to car-free route in order to increase safety and access. Read on...
John Shelley Drive Partial Reopening

John Shelley Drive west loop in McLaren Park, which has been closed to vehicular traffic since April 2020 as part of the City’s emergency ordinance to provide socially distant recreation, will partially reopen beginning Saturday, Sept. 4 Read on...
Golden Gate Bandshell Welcomes Back Live Performances

Diverse lineup of musicians to play free concerts at historic landmark. Read on...
RPD and SFBGS Propose Unified Management of Golden Gate Park Gardens

Change would streamline management and provide enhanced visitor experience. Read on...
New Boat Dock Makes Waves at Lake Merced

City officials gathered with community members and dragon boat racers at Lake Merced today to say ahoy to a new boat dock and gangway that allows safer recreation for seniors and people with disabilities and ensures future access for the public. Read on...
Imagination Runs Wild at San Francisco’s New Nature Exploration Area

Kids connect with nature and each other on opening day of space devoted to unstructured play. Read on...
‘Green’ Makeovers of Child Care Spaces Connect San Francisco’s Youngest Children to Nature

Young children at nine San Francisco child care centers and family child care homes are enjoying green outdoor play spaces after community volunteers worked multiple weekends to create natural play spaces that allow children to explore their world. Read on...
McLaren Park Ropes Course Officially Opens With Treetop Thrills

After nearly a year of anticipation, the McLaren Park Ropes Course was in full swing today, celebrating its full opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Read on...
Beloved Sue Bierman Playground Burns

The fire destroyed a play structure modeled after a pirate ship, a slide, and rubber safety surfacing to protect kids from falls. Read on...
Conservatory Drive West to Re-Open Oct. 1

Safety measures allow accommodation of multiple needs, car-free JFK will be unaffected. Read on...
Jerry Garcia Amphitheater Opens Following Major Renovation

San Francisco Shakespeare Festival Kicks Off 2021 Season Following Ribbon Cutting. Read on...
San Francisco’s Largest Nature Exploration Area Breaks Ground at Heron’s Head

Youth-centered design to build stronger connections with the natural world while inviting kids to jump, climb, play and learn across an array of natural elements. Read on...
Juri Commons Park Reopens Following Renovation

Juri Commons reopened following a $1.9 million renovation honoring the Mission District park’s railroad history, featuring a redesign with new plantings, an improved play space for children, grass for dogs, & an adult exercise area with fitness equipment. Read on...
City Reveals Next Phase for Great Highway to Start August 16

Stretch from Lincoln Way to Sloat Blvd will continue to be closed to car traffic on weekends and holidays, but will open up to car traffic during the week. Read on...
Golden Gate Heights Playground Re-Opens Following Renovation

With a design inspired by its wooded surroundings, a nature play area to spark creativity, and a dramatic spiral tower soaring above it all, the newly-renovated playground at Golden Gate Heights Park has opened to the public. Read on...
Rec and Park to Phase Out Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers with Two-Stroke Engines

Gardeners maintaining the City’s parks, open spaces and public plazas will soon turn over a new leaf—trading gas-powered blowers with two-stroke engines for electric battery pack models instead. Read on...
Rec and Park and SFPA Launch Program to Turn Kids into Golden Gate Park Experts

Field trip program helps kids from across the city experience the joys of “Everybody’s Park” Read on...
New Photo Library to be Named for Legendary SF Photographer David Johnson

A new photo library at the Harvey Milk Photo Center will be named for legendary photographer David Johnson, who chronicled Black life in San Francisco in the mid-twentieth century, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today. Read on...
Art installation Honoring Black Lives Arrives for Juneteenth

In commemoration of San Francisco’s Juneteenth holiday, Mayor London N. Breed today unveiled Monumental Reckoning, a two-year art installation in Golden Gate Park honoring Black history and lives. Read on...
City Breaks Ground on India Basin Shoreline Park

Mayor London N. Breed today joined with community members, environmental advocates, and public officials to kick off the restoration of India Basin shoreline. Read on...
Coit Tower to Welcome Visitors Again on June 17

Coit Tower, the iconic white column defining the San Francisco skyline, will welcome visitors Thursday, June 17 for the first time in 15 months, Mayor London N. Breed announced. Read on...
Shoreview Park Re-Opens Following $3.3M Renovation

A once-overlooked park in Bayview Hunters Point reopened with a community celebration after a $3.3 million renovation transformed it into a family-friendly oasis with an adventure playground. Read on...
Stern Grove Festival Returns with 2021 Dates

84th annual outdoor music festival kicks off summer concert season on June 20. Read on...
Esprit Park Poised for Robust Renovation

Esprit Park is one step closer to a $7.7 million renovation designed to balance the needs of its growing Dogpatch community—from families to fitness enthusiasts to dogs and their people, the SF Rec & Park Department and UC San Francisco announced today. Read on...
San Francisco Proposes Art Installation to Honor Black Lives, History of African Americans

Opening of ‘Monumental Reckoning’ sculpture in Golden Gate Park would coincide with Juneteenth Read on...
TPC Harding Park, SF Rec & Park Unveil High-Tech Practice Facility

TPC Harding Park, the only city-owned public course managed by the PGA TOUR, announces the renovation completion of its practice facility which began in November 2020, along with the new addition of Toptracer Range technology. Read on...
Mayor London Breed Announces Reopening of Remodeled George Christopher Playground

Kids welcome new play equipment and nature exploration area in the Diamond Heights park following renovation. Read on...
City of San Francisco and School District to Host Outdoor Commencements for High Schools

‘Graduations for All’ to be held at Kezar Stadium and the McAteer High School campus for all graduating seniors Read on...
First Indoor Pools to Reopen in Bayview, Sunset

Two of San Francisco’s indoor pools are poised to welcome back lap swimmers with reservations and all pools will reopen by mid-June, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today. SF Rec and Park to open pools citywide by summer. Read on...
RPD and Community Partners Fund New Recreation Center for Sunnydale/Vis Valley

The SF Recreation & Park Commission Thursday approved the concept design for the new Herz Recreation Center Project, which includes a new 11,500 square foot recreation center with an indoor basketball court, a multi-purpose room, restrooms, and an office. Read on...
Mayor London Breed Announces Completion of Garfield Square Recreation Area in the Mission District

Newly renovated Garfield Center includes an indoor pool and modern clubhouse that will serve as a Community Hub for San Francisco students. Read on...
SkyStar Wheel to Spin Until 2025 Following Unanimous Approval

The SkyStar Wheel in Golden Gate Park will be permitted to spin until 2025, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today. Discounts for San Francisco residents begin Monday Read on...
Skystar Wheel to Open Thursday, March 4

Special to today’s announcement will be SkyStar and SF Rec and Park’s offer to all San Francisco public school graduating seniors to take a free ride on the Wheel this summer beginning June 2 through Sept. 6; students will need to show their SFUSD ID. Read on...
Outdoor Youth Sports to Return to San Francisco with Safety Precautions

Rec and Park to offer field space for “mini” spring season for soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, flag football and more. Read on...
State-of-the-Art Tennis Center to Open in Golden Gate Park

Online court reservations open today for the philanthropy-funded Lisa & Douglas Goldman Tennis Center, which will open its doors March 3. 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...

Dec 8
Winter Lights in Golden Gate Park
Join us for a new tradition this holiday season! E...
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Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- Words and Light : Big Steppin’ through 2021 with Stunnaman 02
5:30 – 6:30 pm – DJ Corvette 6:30 – 7:15 pm – Con...
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Dec 9
Winter Lights in Golden Gate Park
Join us for a new tradition this holiday season! E...
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Dec 10
Winter Lights in Golden Gate Park
Join us for a new tradition this holiday season! E...
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Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- Words and Light
Two Legendary Acts: Jaz Sawyer Trio and Kev Choice...
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Dec 11
Winter Lights in Golden Gate Park
Join us for a new tradition this holiday season! E...
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Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- SF Parks Alliance Holiday Hootenanny
10 performers each sing three of their favorite ho...
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Dec 12
Winter Lights in Golden Gate Park
Join us for a new tradition this holiday season! E...
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Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- San Francisco Youth Chorus Winter Memories Concert
San Francisco Youth Chorus Winter Memories Concert...
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Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- Words and Light - Unfinished Legacy: A Youth vs. Apocalypse
Performances by: Destiny Arts (youth dance company...
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Golden Gate Bandshell Concert- Crucial Reggae Sunday
featuring DJ Jah Yzer plus special guests TBA
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Dec 13
Winter Lights in Golden Gate Park
Join us for a new tradition this holiday season! E...
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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