News Flash

Golden Gate Park ‘Slow Streets’ Creates Virtually Car-Free Route from Ferry Building to Ocean

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Starting today, walkers, bikers, runners and skaters will enjoy a virtually car free route from the east end of Golden Gate Park to the ocean, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today.

Golden G...

High School Students Make History in Writing Contest

SAN FRANCISCO, CA –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, the San Franc...

SF Rec and Park to Offer Low-Cost Outdoor Space for Fitness Providers

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – 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 9...

Challenge Ropes Course Breaks Ground in McLaren Park

SAN FRANCISCO – 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.

A project of SF Rec and Parks and...

Japanese Tea Garden to Re-Open Wednesday

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – 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 an...

SF Rec and Park Opens New Park in Rincon Hill

SAN FRANCISCO –Guy Place Mini Park, a new and peaceful open space amid the skyscrapers of Rincon Hill, opened to the public today, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced.

Located on Guy Place near the approach to the Bay Bridg...

Have you Herd? New Bison Cams Let Viewers Observe Golden Gate Park’s Shaggy Behemoths from Home

San Francisco, (July 16, 2020) – For the first time, fans of Golden Gate Park’s resident bison can connect with the beloved beasts from home, thanks to two live webcams in their paddock.

The bison cams offer a rare opportunity ...

Historic Geneva Car Barn and Powerhouse Reborn as Youth Arts Hub

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – 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 announc...

Golden Gate Park “Pop-Up” Welcome Center Opening June 15

San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, in partnership with the San Francisco Parks Alliance, will officially open its first-ever “pop-up” welcome center in Golden Gate Park on Monday, June 15, 2...

San Francisco Botanical Garden to Reopen June 1 with Additional Safety Measures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 26, 2020

Press Contact: Brendan Lange

(415) 497-3268

blange@sfbg.org

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Botanical Garden will re-open to visitors Monday, June 1 with modifications in place to ensure public safety and prevent ...

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, recreation centers and gathering spaces for families in SOMA, Visitacion Valley and the Western Addition, a proposed bond for the November ballot would i...

SF Chronicle: Shaming the shamers: why San Franciscans need to stop finger-pointing

This article courtesy of the San Francisco 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...

#GGP150 Concert Series: A Special Summer Solstice Performance and Comedy Day Classics in the Park

San Francisco, CA – Golden Gate Park’s 150^th anniversary virtual concert series will continue to bring classic performances from the park to visitors during the month of May.  Today, organizers announced two specially-produced...

SF Closes GGP's JFK Drive & McLaren Park's Shelley Drive to Vehicles

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today announced that beginning Tuesday, April 28 at 6:00am, John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park and John F. Shelley Drive in John McLaren Park will be closed to vehicles 24 hours per day t...

GGP Virtual Concert Series Adds Special Livestream Performances for Kids & Families to Line-Up

San Francisco, CA – Golden Gate Park’s 150^th virtual concert series will bring music, reading and the arts to kids and families with three upcoming livestream concerts that celebrate the park and provide entertainment and fun for famil...

SF Extends Emergency Child & Youth Care Until End of School Year

Mayor London N. Breed today announced that San Francisco’s emergency child and youth care centers will remain open until at least June 2nd to provide a safe place for children of first responders, health care workers, and essential City employee...

GGP Marks 150th Birthday by Launching Virtual Concert Series

San Francisco, CA – Golden Gate Park turns 150 on Saturday, April 4.  To mark this historic occasion, a virtual concert series is being launched that will bring some of the amazing past outdoor concerts and performances held in the park...

April 4 Golden Gate Park 150th Anniversary Celebration to be Rescheduled

San Francisco, CA – Organizers of Golden Gate Park’s 150^th anniversary celebration announced today that a parkwide birthday event on Saturday, April 4, 2020 is being rescheduled for a date later this year. 

“The 150^th...

Turk-Hyde Mini Park Re-Opens Following Renovation

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – 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, as well as a redesign to make the space more accessible and cond...

Golden Gate Park to Welcome Five New Bison

State Awards $8.5 Million for Waterfront Park in India Basin

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today announced that funding from a voter-approved bond measure to create new parks and recreation opportunities in underserved communities will contribute to the creation of a new park in San F...

GGP 150th Anniversary Celebration to Include Largest Display of AIDS Memorial Quilt in SF History

SAN FRANCISCO (February 18, 2020) – Organizers of Golden Gate Park’s 150th Anniversary and representatives of the National AIDS Memorial announced today that portions of the iconic AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display in Golden Gate ...

$2 Million Gift to Boost Plant Conservation Efforts

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Botanical Garden is preparing to step into a new role of guarding the world’s plants from extinction with a $2 million gift to help fund a modern nursery, replacing a 50-year-old facility.

This challenge gi...

Improvements to Spreckels Temple of Music Pave the Way for New Community Arts Program at Bandshell

San Francisco, CA – The Spreckels Temple of Music, also known as the Music Concourse Bandshell and one of Golden Gate Park’s historic treasures, will be enhanced this year to celebrate its historic place in the park and open t...

San Francisco Kicks Off Yearlong Celebration of Golden Gate Park's 150th Anniversary

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department today hosted Golden Gate Park’s 150^th Anniversary kick-off event. They announced that concerts, special exhibits at museums and ga...

Focus on Equity Will Increase Access to Camp Mather for Low-Income Residents

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today announced recent initiatives have resulted in expanded access for visitors at Camp Mather, San Francisco’s family camp in the High Sierras. The San Francisco Recreation and Park ...

Community Brings Light to Tenderloin with Holiday Tree Tradition

SAN FRANCISCO – Joy and neighborhood pride flowed in Boeddeker Park this evening as city leaders joined residents and community groups at the 2^nd Annual Tenderloin People’s Holiday Tree Lighting.

State Senator Scott Wiener, Mayor London N. Breed, ...

SF Parks Score High, Continue to Improve in Maintenance, Report Finds

SAN FRANCISCO –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...

150-Foot Observation Wheel to Offer ‘Bay to Breakers’ Views for Riders During Golden Gate Park’s 150

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today announced an illuminated 150-foot observation wheel is among the attractions being planned for Golden Gate Park’s 150^th anniversary in 2020. The wheel will provide riders with sweeping views from th...

North Beach Celebrates Re-Opening of Washington Square

SAN FRANCISCO – City officials and neighborhood residents today celebrated the re-opening of iconic Washington Square Park—now greener, drier and more accessible after a $3 million water conservation project that will save 2 million ga...

Community Celebrates Sport Court Makeover at Potrero Rec Center

SAN FRANCISCO – Getting onto the courts at Potrero Recreation Center is now a whole new game,  thanks to major improvements that will delight both basketball and tennis players.

About 50 neighborhood kids joined Mayor London N.  ...

Sloane Stephens Celebrates Upcoming Tennis Center with SF Kids

SAN FRANCISCO – A few miles from the whir of construction at the new Golden Gate Park Tennis Center, about 100 elementary school kids were being coached by one of the top tennis players in the world at Hamilton Recreation Center today.

Sloane Ste...

New Sports Field Celebrated at Silver Terrace Playground

SAN FRANCISCO – 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.

The San Francisco Recreation and Par...

NFL Players, Veterans Attend Day of Service at Alemany Farm

SAN FRANCISCO – 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.

The San Francisco Recreation and...

SF Rec and Park Commission to Consider Operator for Golden Gate Park Tennis Center

SAN FRANCISCO – In April, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department broke ground on its project to transform its 125-year-old Golden Gate Park Tennis Center into one of the best public tennis facilities in the nation. On Thursday, Recreat...

Two Hiroshima Survivor Trees Planted in Japanese Tea Garden

SAN FRANCISCO – Two second generation saplings—descendants of ginkgo trees that survived the nuclear blast on Hiroshima—were planted at the Japanese Tea Garden today in a ceremony that also honored former U.S. Secretary of St...

Kaiser Permanente Contributes $1.6 Million to Provide Safe and Imaginative Playgrounds for San Franc

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco’s playgrounds are getting a major boost thanks to a $1.6 million contribution by Kaiser Permanente to the LetsPlaySF! campaign, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today.

The LetsPlaySF! campaign, a part...

‘Presidio Wall Playground’ Moves Forward to Replace Julius Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission’s Operations Committee today voted to recommend “Presidio Wall Playground” replace the name of the current Julius Kahn Playground.

Presidio Wall was th...

Community Celebrates Renovation of Potrero Hill Rec Center Grounds

SAN FRANCISCO – Revamped athletic fields, new sports equipment, improved lighting and accessible pathways were among the major improvements unveiled by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department today at the Potrero Hill Recreation Center....

State Conservation Grants to Benefit Kids, Seniors, Snakes

SAN FRANCISCO – Local children, seniors and—yes—snakes will be among the beneficiaries of state conservation grants totaling more than $400,000, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today.

SF Rec and Park’s McLaren Park Visitacion Ave...

Due South Concert Series to be Held at McLaren Park

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, San Francisco Parks Alliance, District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safai, and Noise Pop are excited to announce the inaugural season of the Due South Concert Series.  Due South is a new s...

Alice Chalmers Playground Receives $30,000 for Makeover

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department has been selected to receive a $30,000 play space grant from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Walt Disney Company.

Rec and Parks will use the funding towa...

SF Rec and Parks Head Phil Ginsburg Appointed to State Parks Commission

SAN FRANCISCO – Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department for the past decade, will bring his expertise to the state park system as well.

Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Ginsburg, 52, to the California Sta...

New Sport Courts Open at Hayes Valley Playground

SAN FRANCISCO—Renovated sport courts, including a unique basketball court that doubles as colorful street art, opened amid a community celebration today at the Hayes Valley Playground.

Improvements to the basketball court, including a colorful co...

In Chan Kaajal Community Garden Wins Livability Award

SAN FRANCISCO – These days, In Chan Kaajal Community Garden is cultivating more than carrots and corn for the Mission District. On Sunday, the community garden located on 17^th and Folsom received the Livability Award for its role in creating a c...

Coit Tower Café to Open at Iconic Landmark

Coit Tower Café, located in a kiosk steps away from the San Francisco skyline’s 210-foot welcoming beacon, will open today, Friday, July 12. Operated by Acquolina Restaurant in North Beach, Coit Tower Café will also feature...

Street Soccer to Kick Off Sunday at Civic Center

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is preparing to transform Fulton Street between the Asian Art Museum and Main Library into a temporary street soccer installation that will serve the diverse community of the Civic Center area.

Two modular t...

TPC Harding Park Hosts Inaugural SF Pride Golf Tournament

SAN FRANCISCO—LGBTQ golfers and allies gathered on the green Wednesday for the first-ever San Francisco Pride Pro-Am Golf Tournament, a historic fundraiser at TPC Harding Park.

The inaugural event was hosted by TPC Harding Park in partnership wit...

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

SAN FRANCISCO—As the competition heats up, the San Francisco Recreation and Park department today announced an additional free, live FIFA Women’s World Cup viewing party to be held this Friday, June 28.

This bonus screening, held in par...

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

SAN FRANCISCO – Amid a neighborhood celebration, city officials today unveiled a new mural celebrating the Bayview-Hunters Point community on a historic building that will become an integral part of its future. The block party featured ...

Women’s World Cup to Play Live on the Big Screen at SF Parks

SAN FRANCISCO—Looking for a way to kick off summer? The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is hosting free, live FIFA Women’s World Cup viewing parties in this June and July.

The events, held in partnership with the S...

2019 Conservatory Lighting and Summer Solstice Concert Announced

Psychedelic Photosynthesis and Surrealistic Summer Solstice Jam 3

• June 19, 6-10pm
• Conservatory lighting at approximately 9:15pm

SAN FRANCISCO– Join us for the 3rd annual outtasight, flower-powered night under the stars as we kick off summer with th...

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

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Recreation and Park officials this week are expected to approve plans for a food and beverage kiosk at the eastern entrance of Golden Gate Park, the latest in a series of planned improvements in the area.

The San Fra...

SF Recreation and Park Department Breaks Ground on Five Playgrounds

SAN FRANCISCO – Under the watchful eyes of 45 preschoolers, city officials and community members broke ground today on five playground renovations—a major milestone in a project that promises to transform 13 timeworn play areas used by...

SF Rec and Parks Breaks Ground on $27M Tennis Center

SAN FRANCISCO – Tennis enthusiasts of all ages gathered today with City officials, the Tennis Coalition of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Parks Alliance to celebrate a new era for public tennis in San Francisco with the groundbreaking of t...

McLaren Park Welcomes Improved Community Garden, New Rain Garden

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department’s McLaren Community Garden re-opened with additional plots to accommodate four times the number of gardeners. The renovated site, at the west end of Leland Avenue, also features a new greenhouse, ...

Randall Museum Science Fair Winners Head to State Championships

More than 160 students from San Francisco’s public and private schools competed in this year’s San Francisco Middle School Science Fair. Students from Roosevelt Middle School, St. Philip the Apostle, and Notre Dame des Victoires took f...

SF Rec and Park Rolls Out 10 New Sport Wheelchairs for Public Use

SAN FRANCISCO – City officials, wheelchair basketball athletes, and South of Market community members on Wednesday celebrated the addition of 10 new custom sport wheelchairs at Gene Friend Recreation Center—part of the San Francisco Re...

India Basin Project Receives $5 Million in Funding

The San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority on Friday approved the funds for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to remediate and restore the soft-bottom intertidal and subtidal habitat and remove dilapidated structures at 900 Innes Ave. &...

New Trail Through Oak Woodlands Dedicated to Phil Arnold

SAN FRANCISCO –San Francisco Recreation and Park Department today unveiled its new main trail through the Oak Woodlands of Golden Gate Park, dedicating the scenic path to Phil Arnold, a longtime advocate for local parks, open space, and...

Stern Grove Tops List of 2018 Nuptial Spots

SAN FRANCISCO – Sixty-one couples tied the knot amid the towering trees of Stern Grove last year, making it the most popular San Francisco park in which to wed in 2018.

On Valentine’s Day, the San Francisco Recreation and Park ...

SF Residents: Parks Make City More Livable

SAN FRANCISCO –– Seventy eight percent of San Franciscans think the condition of the city’s parks are improving, a bright spot in poll results measuring the public’s satisfaction with city services and issues.

The&am...

Restroom Monitor Program Expands to Seven Additional Park Locations

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco will dramatically boost the number of park restrooms staffed by trained monitors, part of the City’s commitment to improving quality of life in neighborhoods most in need.

The San Francisco Human Services Commission t...

Recreation and Park Commission Approves Outside Lands Contract Extension

The agreement, which will now go before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for final approval, extends the contract to 2031. Outside Lands, which highlights the City’s music, arts and culinary offerings, draws more than 2 million visitors an...