
In partnership with Healthy Parks, Healthy People Bay Area, a collaborative effort between 40 local agencies, SF Rec and Park presents its Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative. Explore our city’s natural areas while socializing with new friends, feeling fit, and finding new inspiration in our city’s native plants and wildlife.
All walks start at 10:00AM are Free, and require no pre-registration.
Stow Lake (First Saturday of Month) at the Boathouse in Golden Gate Park
Glen Canyon (Second Saturday of Month) at Elk & Chenery streets
McLaren Park (Third Saturday of Month) at University & Mansell
Herons Head (Fourth Saturday of Month) at Jennings Street off Cargo way
Being outside in parks offers several benefits:
- Helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints
- Introduces neighbors to each other
- Provides opportunities for physical activity
- Can reduce blood pressure in some people with hypertension
- Improves the mood and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression
Our professional RPD Guides will provide a short interpretive program designed specifically for each location. The staff will have first aid equipment and are certified in CPR. Please remember to bring your water and sun protection.
Check local weather forecasts – Trail Walks will be canceled due to unsafe conditions and/or rain and holidays.
For more information email lisa.mchenry@sfgov.org
We are launching Walk With A Doc
The San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department is partnering with Walk with a Doc! Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle. You don’t need any special gear and there are no rules. All ages, shapes, sizes and abilities are … Continue reading
Check out the 2019 data for Healthy Parks Healthy People Free nature walk program. Way to go!
187 walks since 2014 at four open spaces 374 hours of walks Over 1,700 walkers in 5 years Walkers have walked 3,434 miles in the last 5 years (to New York City) Walkers have walked 8,585,000 steps in the last 5 years Walkers from 6 Countries: United States, Japan, Britain, … Continue reading
Free Nature Walk With Healthy Parks, Healthy People
WHAT: Free Guided Nature Walk at McLaren Park Healthy Parks, Healthy People at McLaren Park SF Rec & Park is ready to walk off the winter doldrums with you. It’s a great … Continue reading
Free Nature Walk With Healthy Parks, Healthy People & Walk With a Doc – Cancelled
SF Rec & Park is partnering with Walk with a Doc this Saturday at McLaren Park. Join us for an engaging talk with Dr. Andrew Oliver. This is your opportunity to ask … Continue reading
Free Nature Walk With Healthy Parks, Healthy People
WHAT: Free Guided Nature Walk at McLaren Park Healthy Parks, Healthy People at McLaren Park SF Rec & Park is ready to walk off the winter doldrums with you. It’s a great … Continue reading
Free Nature Walk With Healthy Parks, Healthy People
WHAT: Free Guided Nature Walk at McLaren Park Healthy Parks, Healthy People at McLaren Park SF Rec & Park is ready to walk off the winter doldrums with you. It’s a great … Continue reading
Free Nature Walk With Healthy Parks, Healthy People
WHAT: Free Guided Nature Walk at McLaren Park Healthy Parks, Healthy People at McLaren Park SF Rec & Park is ready to walk off the winter doldrums with you. It’s a great … Continue reading
Free Nature Walk With Healthy Parks, Healthy People
WHAT: Free Guided Nature Walk at McLaren Park Healthy Parks, Healthy People at McLaren Park SF Rec & Park is ready to walk off the winter doldrums with you. It’s a great … Continue reading
Healthy Parks Healthy People trail walks – Glen Park
Dec 14, 2019Walk in the Park: Join us and Healthy Parks, Healthy People (HPHP) as we kick off the new year in a brand new location at Glen Park on Saturday, January 12 from … Continue reading
Healthy Parks, Healthy People trail walks – McLaren Park
Dec 21, 2019For more information checkout https://sfrecpark.org/recprogram/healthy-parks-healthy-people/ Walk a Trail: McLaren Park at University & Mansell, next to the sign (Third Saturday of Month) 10:00am. Join us for a walk through McLaren Park, San Francisco’s second … Continue reading
Healthy Parks, Healthy People trail walks – Heron’s Head Park
Dec 28, 2019Walk a Wetland: Herons Head Park at Jennings Street off Cargo way, (Fourth Saturday of Month) 10:00am. Admire the San Francisco waterfront as we follow a short section of the Bay Trail. … Continue reading
Healthy Parks, Healthy People trail walks – McLaren Park
Jan 18, 2020For more information checkout https://sfrecpark.org/recprogram/healthy-parks-healthy-people/ Walk a Trail: McLaren Park at University & Mansell, next to the sign (Third Saturday of Month) 10:00am. Join us for a walk through McLaren Park, San Francisco’s second … Continue reading
Healthy Parks, Healthy People trail walks – Heron’s Head Park
Jan 25, 2020Walk a Wetland: Herons Head Park at Jennings Street off Cargo way, (Fourth Saturday of Month) 10:00am. Admire the San Francisco waterfront as we follow a short section of the Bay Trail. … Continue reading
Healthy Parks, Healthy People trail walks – McLaren Park
Feb 15, 2020For more information checkout https://sfrecpark.org/recprogram/healthy-parks-healthy-people/ Walk a Trail: McLaren Park at University & Mansell, next to the sign (Third Saturday of Month) 10:00am. Join us for a walk through McLaren Park, San Francisco’s second … Continue reading
Healthy Parks, Healthy People trail walks – Heron’s Head Park
Feb 22, 2020Walk a Wetland: Herons Head Park at Jennings Street off Cargo way, (Fourth Saturday of Month) 10:00am. Admire the San Francisco waterfront as we follow a short section of the Bay Trail. … Continue reading
Healthy Parks, Healthy People trail walks – McLaren Park
Mar 21, 2020For more information checkout https://sfrecpark.org/recprogram/healthy-parks-healthy-people/ Walk a Trail: McLaren Park at University & Mansell, next to the sign (Third Saturday of Month) 10:00am. Join us for a walk through McLaren Park, San Francisco’s second … Continue reading

Lisa McHenry, hiking the Tonsina Glacier in Alaska.
Lisa McHenry
Lisa McHenry works for the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department and can be found leading hikes for the Saturday “Healthy Parks Healthy People” program. She is a lifelong Bay Area resident and has an infectious enthusiasm for protecting and sharing this amazing part of the world. Lisa graduated Cum Laude from San Francisco State University with a degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration. She is a Wilderness First Responder, and in 2012 was a full scholarship recipient for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) expedition in Alaska. When Lisa is not championing our parks and open space she can be found performing in San Francisco's theatre district.

Charley GauxDown celebrating PACE with HPHP.
Charley GauxDown
Charley discovered his love of the outdoors growing up in Yosemite and backpacking through the Sierra's. Once in San Francisco he found his way to the burlesque stage with his troupe The Bohemian Brethren. With a creative mind and a smile, he will take you on a relaxing adventure through our glorious city parks.

Yoga Walks with Susan!
Susan Saylor
Susan Saylor is a (sometimes) empty-nest mother, lawyer, and yoga teacher who loves the great outdoors. In her spare time she enjoys native-plant gardening, reading, and open-water swimming. She has been teaching yoga for the Rec. & Parks Department since 2018. Her yoga style is accessible, gentle, and fun.
Carlo Grunfeld
Carlo Grunfeld has been drawing and painting for over forty years. After concentrating on graphic design in his early career, Carlo switched to the fine arts. As Carlo started painting from observations of nature, he began to learn the formal names and taxonomies of many subjects. Since then he has combined his love of art with an interest in local native plants and animals. Carlo has been a teacher at the Sharon Art Studio in Golden Gate Park for the past ten years and his drawing instruction is inspired by Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. Join Carlo on the first Saturday of each month at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park for a Sketch and Stroll and enjoy the benefits of nature while learning to draw.