News Flash

RPD Park Improvements | All Project Updates

Posted on: September 18, 2021

Jerry Garcia Amphitheater Opens Following Major Renovation

JGA 1

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, an outdoor concert venue nestled in McLaren Park, re-opened today following a $1.45 million facelift that made it more comfortable and accessible for both performers and audience members, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department announced.   

Mayor London Breed, Assemblymember David Chiu, Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton and Assessor-Recorder Joaquin Torres were among city officials who cut the ribbon on the renovated venue. The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival followed on the stage, kicking off its 2021 Shakespeare in the Park season with Pericles, Prince of Tyre! The Festival will hold free performances at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater throughout September.  

“I am so excited to be at the reopening of the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater,” said Mayor Breed. “This venue has played such an important role in our city’s artistic culture and development, bringing live performances not only to this neighborhood but to all in San Francisco to enjoy. It is great to see the Amphitheater filled again with people having a good time right here in the heart of McLaren Park.” 

The improvements were part of the 2018 McLaren Vision Plan, in which the community prioritized investments for their park. The project was funded through the Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, which San Francisco voters passed in 2012.  

Renovation work included paving and expanding the area adjacent to the parking lot to allow better access for food trucks and portable toilets; upgrading ADA features such as handrails and benches, installing bike racks, replacing the drinking fountain and adding a dog bowl, and increasing storage capacity in the green room and under the stage.  

“Seeing a concert or a play in a beautiful park setting is among life’s greatest joys,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “A modernized Jerry Garcia Amphitheater can support more artists and foster even more connection between neighbors.”  

The work is part of a larger effort by community members to attract bigger acts to the Greek-style venue, which opened in 1971 and was re-named after the Grateful Dead frontman and Excelsior District native son Jerry Garcia after Garcia’s death in 1995.  

For nearly two decades, the venue has been home to the annual Jerry Day to commemorate the singer and guitarist’s life, art and music under the production team of Tom Murphy and the Jerry Day Committee. It has also hosted Noise Pop’s Due South concert series, other musical and civic events, and school commencement ceremonies.  

Among the venue’s key boosters are Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who has provided funding to support concert productions and movie nights, and community members who formed Friends of the Amp. 

“As long-time champions of the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, one of our goals has always been to find sustainable sources of funding so that performances by community artists and celebrations representing the rich ethnic diversity of San Francisco could continue to thrive at this venue,” said Linda Stark Litehiser, founder of Friends of the Amphitheater. “By widening the range of possible uses, these infrastructure improvements will move us closer toward this goal." 

"Throughout the pandemic, organizations like San Francisco Shakespeare Festival and San Francisco Recreation and Parks have been ‘pivoting’ to creatively continue services to our community," said SF Shakes Resident Artist Carla Pantoja. "Like the character Pericles experiences, today is a joyful reunion."

***

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in RPD Park Improvements | All Project Updates

Capital Project Update

Stow Lake Path Project Update - 2/13/2023

Posted on: February 13, 2023
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Renovation Update 12/22!

Posted on: December 22, 2022
Capital Project Update

Herz Rec Project Update 12/20/22

Posted on: December 20, 2022
Capital Project Update

Twin Peaks Project Update 10/27/22!

Posted on: October 27, 2022
Capital Project Update

McLaren Park Vision Plan Update 10/26!

Posted on: October 26, 2022
Capital Project Update

Herz Recreation Center Update 10/26/22

Posted on: October 26, 2022
Capital Project Update

Herz Rec Construction Update 9/16!

Posted on: September 16, 2022
Capital Project Update

McLaren Park Vision Plan Update 9/16!

Posted on: September 16, 2022
Capital Project Update

Preparing for Tree Work at Esprit Park

Posted on: September 12, 2022
Capital Project Update

Great Highway Pilot Project Legislation

Posted on: September 2, 2022
Capital Project Update

Esprit Commission Presentation Sept 7!

Posted on: September 1, 2022
Capital Project Update

Herz Recreation Center Update 8/24!

Posted on: August 24, 2022
Capital Project Update

India Basin - Water Barrier Removed

Posted on: July 18, 2022
Capital Project Update

Art finalists for Herz Rec Center!

Posted on: July 6, 2022
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Project Update 6/2!

Posted on: June 3, 2022
Capital Project Update

11th and Natoma New Park Survey!

Posted on: May 3, 2022
Capital Project Update

Twin Peaks Project Update 5/2/22!

Posted on: May 2, 2022
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Project Update 4/28!

Posted on: April 28, 2022
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Project Update 3/23/2022

Posted on: March 23, 2022
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Project Update 2/23/2022

Posted on: February 24, 2022
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 2/23/2022

Posted on: February 24, 2022
Capital Project Update

Gene Friend Rec Center Project Updates

Posted on: February 14, 2022
Capital Project Update

Public Art Opportunity at Ocean Beach!

Posted on: February 10, 2022
Capital Project Update

Rossi Pool Project Update 1/31/22

Posted on: January 31, 2022
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 1/22!

Posted on: January 21, 2022
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 12/17!

Posted on: December 17, 2021
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Project Update 11/23!

Posted on: November 23, 2021
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 11/18!

Posted on: November 18, 2021
Capital Project Update

Rossi Pool Project Update 11/2/21!

Posted on: November 2, 2021
Capital Project Update

Juri Commons is now open to the public!

Posted on: October 5, 2021
Capital Project Update

Esprit park Project News 9/30/21!

Posted on: September 30, 2021
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 9/20!

Posted on: September 20, 2021
Capital Project Update

Herz Recreation Center Project Update 9/20!

Posted on: September 20, 2021
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Project Update 9/11!

Posted on: September 10, 2021
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 8/20!

Posted on: August 20, 2021
Capital Project Update

Rossi Pool Project Update 7/19!

Posted on: July 19, 2021
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 7/19!

Posted on: July 19, 2021
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 6/21!

Posted on: June 22, 2021
Capital Project Update

Esprit park Project News 6/14!

Posted on: June 14, 2021
Capital Project Update

Rossi Pool Project Update 4/28!

Posted on: April 28, 2021
Capital Project Update

Esprit park Project News 4/23/21!!

Posted on: April 23, 2021
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 4/20!

Posted on: April 20, 2021
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Renovation Update MAR '21

Posted on: March 29, 2021
Capital Project Update

Rossi Pool Project Update 3/9/21!

Posted on: March 9, 2021
Capital Project Update

Garfield Pool Project Update 3/9/21!

Posted on: March 9, 2021
Capital Project Update

News about the Herz Projects!

Posted on: February 23, 2021
Capital Project Update

Esprit park Project News 2/23!

Posted on: February 23, 2021
Capital Project Update

Juri Commons Construction Update 2/9!

Posted on: February 9, 2021
Capital Project Update

Richmond playground Project Update 2/9!

Posted on: February 9, 2021
Capital Project Update

Bayview Playground Project Update 1/29!

Posted on: January 29, 2021
Capital Project Update

Esprit park Project Update 1/22!

Posted on: January 22, 2021
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 1/22!

Posted on: January 22, 2021
Document

GGP Dog Training Area December Update

Posted on: December 29, 2020
Capital Project Update

Golden Gate Heights Update Dec '20

Posted on: December 23, 2020
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Renovation Update Dec '20

Posted on: December 23, 2020
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update Dec '20

Posted on: December 23, 2020
Capital Project Update

Francisco Park Construction Update DEC '20

Posted on: December 22, 2020
Capital Project Update

Margaret Hayward Project Update 11/18!

Posted on: November 19, 2020
Capital Project Update

Francisco Park Construction Update 11/12!

Posted on: November 12, 2020
Capital Project Update

George Christopher schedule update 11/5!

Posted on: November 6, 2020
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 10/29!

Posted on: October 29, 2020
Capital Project Update

Rossi Pool Project Update 10/28!

Posted on: October 29, 2020
Capital Project Update

Esprit park Project Update 10/29!

Posted on: October 29, 2020
Capital Project Update

Garfield pool Renovation Update 10/27!

Posted on: October 27, 2020
Capital Project Update

Margaret Hayward Project Update 10/20!

Posted on: October 22, 2020
Capital Project Update

Gene Friend Rec Project Update 10/9!

Posted on: October 9, 2020
Capital Project Update

Geneva Powerhouse Project Update 10/9!

Posted on: October 9, 2020
Capital Project Update

Margaret Hayward Project Update 10/5!

Posted on: October 5, 2020
Capital Project Update

Middle Lake Design Pushing Forward 9/21!

Posted on: September 21, 2020
Capital Project Update

Juri Commons Construction continues 9/21!

Posted on: September 21, 2020
Capital Project Update

Herz Recreation Center Project Update 9/18!

Posted on: September 18, 2020
Capital Project Update

Esprit park Project Update 9/18!

Posted on: September 18, 2020
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 9/18!

Posted on: September 18, 2020
Capital Project Update

Guy Place Project Update 8/21!

Posted on: August 21, 2020
Capital Project Update

Herz Rec Center Project Update 8/21!

Posted on: August 21, 2020
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 8/21!

Posted on: August 21, 2020
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Project Update 8/21!

Posted on: August 21, 2020
Capital Project Update

Jackson Playground Meeting Follow-Up

Posted on: August 6, 2020
Capital Project Update

Herz Rec Center Project Update 7/27!

Posted on: July 27, 2020
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Project Update 7/24!

Posted on: July 24, 2020
Capital Project Update

Garfield Pool Project Update 7/22!

Posted on: July 23, 2020
Capital Project Update

Guy Place Project Update 5/22!

Posted on: May 22, 2020
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Project Update 5/22

Posted on: May 22, 2020
Capital Project Update

Garfield Pool Project Update 5/13!

Posted on: May 13, 2020
Capital Project Update

Guy Place Project Update 5/1!

Posted on: May 1, 2020
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Project Update 4/17

Posted on: April 17, 2020
Capital Project Update

Herz Playground Project Update 4/17

Posted on: April 17, 2020
Capital Project Update

Lake Merced Project Update 3/31!

Posted on: March 31, 2020
Capital Project Update

Esprit Park Project Update

Posted on: March 23, 2020
Capital Project Update

Guy Place Construction Update

Posted on: March 23, 2020
Capital Project Update

McLaren Park 3/7 Trails Walk Recap

Posted on: March 11, 2020
Capital Project Update

SGT MACAULAY PARK NEARING COMPLETION

Posted on: March 5, 2020
Capital Project Update

TURK-HYDE MINI PARK REOPENS!

Posted on: March 2, 2020
Capital Project Update

GUY PLACE PROJECT UPDATE FEB 21 2020

Posted on: February 21, 2020
Capital Project Update

GUY PLACE ROAD CLOSURE FEB 19 2020

Posted on: February 19, 2020
Capital Project Update

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE FEB 2020

Posted on: February 11, 2020
Capital Project Update

WASHINGTON SQUARE UPDATE- FEB 2020

Posted on: February 7, 2020
Capital Project Update

GUY PLACE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE FEB 2020

Posted on: February 6, 2020
Capital Project Update

NEXT TRAIL WALK SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 7

Posted on: February 5, 2020
Capital Project Update

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE- FEB 2020

Posted on: February 3, 2020
Capital Project Update

ESPRIT PARK WORKSHOP- CONCEPT PLAN

Posted on: January 31, 2020
Capital Project Update

Juri Commons Renovation Moving Forward!

Posted on: January 29, 2020
Capital Project Update

ROSSI POOL RENOVATION PROJECT UPDATE

Posted on: January 6, 2020
Capital Project Update

Bernal Heights - CONSTRUCTION ONGOING

Posted on: January 6, 2020
Capital Project Update

GENE FRIEND REC CENTER PROJECT UPDATES

Posted on: January 4, 2020
Capital Project Update

Fillmore Turk Mini Park Community Meeting

Posted on: December 31, 2019
Capital Project Update

HERZ PLAYGROUND

Posted on: December 18, 2019
Capital Project Update

ESPRIT PARK COMMUNITY OUTREACH UPDATE

Posted on: December 18, 2019
Capital Project Update

WASHINGTON SQUARE REOPENS- DEC 2019

Posted on: December 11, 2019
Capital Project Update

Richmond Playground Open House- Thank You!

Posted on: December 11, 2019
Capital Project Update

TURK-HYDE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Posted on: December 4, 2019
Capital Project Update

HERZ- CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND RENOVATION

Posted on: November 20, 2019
Capital Project Update

POP-UP PLAYDATE AT ESPRIT PARK!

Posted on: November 18, 2019
Capital Project Update

GUY PLACE STREET UTILITIES

Posted on: November 15, 2019
Capital Project Update

ESPRIT PARK RENOVATION

Posted on: November 6, 2019
Capital Project Update

Richmond Playground Open House

Posted on: November 2, 2019
Capital Project Update

TURK-HYDE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Posted on: October 18, 2019
Capital Project Update

Shoreview Groundbreaking Event

Posted on: October 16, 2019
Capital Project Update

FILLMORE TURK MINI PARK – OCTOBER 2019

Posted on: October 11, 2019
Capital Project Update

FILLMORE TURK MINI PARK – OCTOBER 2019

Posted on: October 11, 2019
Capital Project Update

BUENA VISTA PARK – COMMUNITY MEETING

Posted on: September 27, 2019
Capital Project Update

GGP DOG TRAINING AREA PROJECT UPDATE

Posted on: September 20, 2019
Capital Project Update

HERZ REC CENTER PLANNING PHASE UPDATE

Posted on: September 20, 2019
Capital Project Update

BERNAL HEIGHTS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Posted on: August 20, 2019
Capital Project Update

Shoreview Park Renovation Update

Posted on: August 14, 2019
Capital Project Update

GENEVA CAR BARN CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Posted on: July 11, 2019
Capital Project Update

India Basin - Design Survey

Posted on: June 21, 2019
Capital Project Update

WASHINGTON SQUARE CLOSURE- JUN 2019

Posted on: June 17, 2019
Capital Project Update

Shoreview Park - Community Day

Posted on: June 15, 2019
Capital Project Update

Let’sPlaySF! Groundbreaking

Posted on: April 12, 2019
Capital Project Update

GARFIELD POOL – CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Posted on: March 27, 2019
Capital Project Update

FRANKLIN SQUARE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Posted on: March 8, 2019
Capital Project Update

REDWOODS IN JURI COMMONS??

Posted on: February 13, 2019
Capital Project Update

TWIN PEAKS FIGURE 8 REDESIGN NEXT STEPS

Posted on: February 4, 2019
Capital Project Update

OAK WOODLANDS PROJECT UPDATE- JAN 2019

Posted on: January 19, 2019
Capital Project Update

GENEVA CAR BARN CONSTRUCTION

Posted on: October 17, 2018
Capital Project Update

DESIGNER SELECTED FOR BUCHANAN MALL

Posted on: September 7, 2018
Capital Project Update

JURI COMMONS DESIGN APPROVED

Posted on: September 7, 2018
Capital Project Update

FRANCISCO PARK UPDATE

Posted on: September 7, 2018
Capital Project Update

GENEVA CAR BARN CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Posted on: August 23, 2018
Capital Project Update

ROSSI POOL PROJECT UPDATE

Posted on: June 27, 2018
Capital Project Update

BUCHANAN STREET MALL PROJECT UPDATE

Posted on: June 21, 2018
Capital Project Update

FRANCISCO PARK PROJECT UPDATE

Posted on: May 16, 2018
Capital Project Update

TWIN PEAKS FIGURE 8 REDESIGN UPDATES

Posted on: February 21, 2018
Capital Project Update

FRANKLIN SQUARE-DEC 2017 UPDATE

Posted on: December 26, 2017