San Francisco, CA – 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.
“The 150th Anniversary of Golden Gate Park is an exciting milestone for our City, but it is important that we follow public health recommendations and postpone the community celebration at this time,” said Mayor London N. Breed. “We look forward to celebrating Golden Gate Park later this year.”
The decision is being made following a March 7, 2020 public health order issued by the San Francisco Department of Public Health that requires the postponement or cancellation of non-essential group events at city-owned facilities until March 20, 2020. The order states that the Health Officer will continue to assess the quickly-evolving situation regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and may expand or revise the order, or issue additional orders, covering other venues and events.
Given the extensive planning, staging and teams of people required to execute a successful event on April 4, the Recreation and Park Department and San Francisco Parks Alliance, who are jointly organizing the event, determined it would be best to explore another date.
Planning for special exhibits and attractions happening throughout throughout the year to celebrate the park’s sesquicentennial will continue.
“Golden Gate Park has been a treasured part of the City since 1870, and we will continue our yearlong celebration of that incredible history,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “We look forward to a community celebration of the park once this public health challenge is behind us. In the meantime, Golden Gate Park remains open for everyone to enjoy.”
Drew Becher, CEO of the San Francisco Parks Alliance added, “We have a lot of excitement planned for the yearlong sesquicentennial, from the 150 park improvement projects to a 150-foot observation wheel and illuminated bandshell, and will keep working to bring these to the park in the coming months.”
The public is encouraged to utilize San Francisco’s emergency response resources and keep up to date on COVID-19 by visiting sfdph.org, by calling 311, and by signing up for the City’s new alert service for official updates: text COVID19SF to 888-777.
About Golden Gate Park 150: 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of Golden Gate Park. A yearlong celebration of “Everybody’s Park” is being organized by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and the San Francisco Parks Alliance. The anniversary is bringing together more than 150 cultural institutions and community groups to honor Golden Gate Park and it’s past, present and future. Learn more at GoldenGatePark150.com.
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