Reminder: eNews from SF Recreation and Parks- May 24, 2023

[SF Recreation and Parks]

Updates, news and events in San Francisco parks   Highlights, News & Announcements   16 Graduate from India Basin Workforce Development Program Sixteen recently trained construction professionals graduated from the India Basin Waterfront Park project’s workforce development program yesterday, and stand ready to build San Francisco’s next great park, as well as other projects throughout the Bay Area. The 16 graduates come from two separate specialty construction training cohorts. The four-week training is a partnership between Rec and Park and India Basin Waterfront Park project partners including the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), and the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and its CityBuild Construction Training Academy. City leaders and family and friends of the graduates gathered Tuesday evening for the ceremony at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Southeast Community Center in Bayview-Hunters Point. Graduates received certificates and cash bonuses. The program, based out of APRI’s offices, prepares participants for union careers as carpenters, laborers, cement masons and other skilled workers. Participants receive a stipend, work clothes, tools and funds to pay for union membership. The graduates come primarily from Bayview-Hunters Point or other underserved communities in San Francisco and face challenges as job seekers ranging from childcare to being justice involved. Most graduates have already been placed in jobs, including some who are working on India Basin Waterfront Park with the project’s construction firm, Swinerton. The India Basin Waterfront Park project is the city’s most ambitious effort at comprehensive park investment in a historically underserved community. It is guided by an Equitable Development Plan (EDP), a first for San Francisco, with the goal of delivering a park designed by and for Bayview-Hunters Point. An area of focus for the EDP is workforce and business development, including training and hiring residents to build the park and providing jobs and opportunities for small businesses once the park is open. For more information, click the link below. 16 Graduate from India Basin Workforce Program   Merced Heights Playground’s Lower Terrace Transformed by Renovation A $1.67 million renovation has transformed a former grassy field at Merced Heights Playground into a paradise for neighborhood recreation, with areas for people to picnic and exercise, dogs to frolic, and hummingbirds and butterflies to feed. We hosted a community celebration at the renovated terrace last week with neighbors and city and state leaders. It included a senior fitness demonstration on the park’s new exercise equipment, a speaking program on the new plaza, and the unveiling of a tile mosaic recognizing community members for their contributions over the years. Improvements also include a welcoming and accessible entrance, rolling natural lawn, fenced dog play area, benches, picnic tables and a drinking fountain. The park's landscaping includes a butterfly and hummingbird garden, providing an inviting habitat for local wildlife. The majority of funding to complete the lower lawn terrace, a California State Parks Local Assistance State Grant, was shepherded through the state by Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting. A special thanks to Assemblymember Ting, as well as to District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí and to the community, including the senior community members who advocated strongly for the renovation. For more information, click the link below. Merced Heights Lower Terrace Transformed   Bay Area's Top Power Soccer Clubs Compete at Gene Friend Rec Center The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, along with the Golden State Ducks and Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP), hosted the Bay Bridge Bowl power soccer tournament this past weekend at Gene Friend Recreation Center. Power Soccer is an adaptive sport, played in specially modified power wheelchairs. This tournament brought together the top power soccer teams in the Bay Area to compete. This was the first time that a power soccer tournament was hosted in San Francisco, and we look forward to more in the future. A special thanks to all of the teams and competitors who participated. The Golden State Ducks are a local power soccer program that practices at Gene Friend Recreation Center and is a collaboration with BORP and Rec and Park. The program welcomes beginner and experienced players and participants can enjoy practice play or high-level tournament competition. For more information, click the link below. Golden State Ducks   Families Celebrate End of School Year & Water Safety Month at MLK Pool Families celebrated the end of the school year, as well as National Water Safety Month with a community swim day at Martin Luther King Jr. Pool this past weekend. Youth and adults alike enjoyed free swimming, as well as stand-up paddle boards, Zumba, lawn games and more, while discovering resources on water safety. Thank you to everyone who came by and jumped in at this recently renovated facility! Water safety for children, particularly in Bayview-Hunters Point, is a major focus for Rec and Park. Our popular Bayview Safety Swim and Splash (BSSS) program is currently wrapping up its spring session. Based out of MLK Pool, BSSS is a free learn-to-swim program for elementary school students living or attending school in the 94124 ZIP code. The program, which launched in 2022 as a partnership between Rec and Park and the YMCA of San Francisco, ensures that neighborhood youth develop confidence in the water and acquire lifelong skills, including floating, breathing, and how to swim to safety if needed. It was developed through the India Basin Waterfront Park Project and its Equitable Development Plan. Learn more at the link below. Bayview Safety Swim & Splash   Gardens of Golden Gate Park Hiring Teen Garden Interns The Gardens of Golden Gate Park are looking for enthusiastic and motivated students to join their team as teen garden interns. As an intern, you will be responsible for learning and developing the skills needed to create and maintain a beautiful and productive garden. You will also learn to care for plants and the learning landscape, as well as develop leadership skills conducting activities with young children. If interested, experience a day in the life of a garden intern by attending open houses on May 27, June 3, or June 10. Be prepared to help with gardening tasks and guided children's activities. To sign up for an open house, email Nichole Davis at ndavis at gggp.org. For more information, click the link below. Gardens of Golden Gate Park Careers   Request Free Skystar Observation Wheel Tickets for Summer Programs The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is pleased to partner with community-based organizations to distribute free tickets to ride the Skystar Observation Wheel in Golden Gate Park this summer. Priority will be given to organizations and summer camps for underserved San Francisco residents of all ages (youth, adults and seniors) during field trips to Golden Gate Park. Some tickets may be available for direct distribution to residents/families to ride on their own. To request tickets, click the link below. Questions? Email recparkpartnerships at sfgov.org. Skystar Wheel Ticket Requests   AAPI Heritage Month Staff Reflections: Lou Maunupau In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we spoke with Lou Maunupau, our tennis programs coordinator. He shared his experiences as a young boy visiting family in Hawaii, and how those cherished times helped to shape his identity:   I’m Hawaiian/Chinese on my dad’s side, and German/French/Polish… and Jewish (didn’t know that until I got my 23&Me results) on my mom’s side.    I come from an ancient Hawaiian family with my grandfather (Thomas K. Maunupau) being a scholar on Hawaiian culture, history, and alphabet. He wrote a book that recounted his archaeological expedition with another scholar, Kenneth Emory.    Needless to say, I only found about my heritage when I was 9 years old and spent my first summer with my Hawaiian relatives in Oahu.     I, of course, had never been to Hawaii. Not only was it magical, and obviously exotic, but I met literally 20 to 30 immediate relatives, with a bunch of cousins who were my age, some younger, some older. Being an only child, I was so happy to have so many playmates. Imagine going to your elementary school class, and everyone in your class was related to you!    I was also unique, as I was part white.     I could not have been treated more lovingly by my aunts, uncles, and cousins. They were all into sports, which was my first introduction to basketball, football, and unbelievably, boxing!    My Hawaiian family, in honor of our introduction into the family in Hawaii, cooked a huge feast, and the signature dish was, you guessed it-kalua pig!    It was cooked in the ancient tradition of wrapping it in banana leaves, basted, and simmered in a large pit in the ground, flanked by hot lava rocks.    It was quite the culinary spectacle!    My aunts and uncles encouraged me to eat a lot of it, because they thought I was too skinny and short.     I had never had kalua pig before, and it was the most delicious, succulent, and tasty meat I had ever had before. It melted in your mouth like warm butter!    It is that family event, centered around the kalua pig main course, that is one of those happy childhood memories that a young child never forgets.  Thank you Lou for sharing your AAPI experience and we look forward to seeing you on the tennis court!   Japanese Tea Garden's Pagoda Plaza Landscape Project Kicks Off The Japanese Tea Garden's Pagoda plaza landscape project kicked off last Friday with a traditional Shinto blessing by Reverend Rodney Yano of the Konko Church of San Francisco. Award-winning designer Hoichi Kurisu is leading the project with his daughter Michiko. Their firm, Kurisu LLC, will open the area around the pagoda to make it feel more cohesive with the rest of the garden and create a gathering space for taiko, bonsai demonstrations and other cultural events. The design will employ stones donated from the Tatsuyama quarry in Takasago, Japan. We anticipate the project's completion later this fall. A special thanks to the San Francisco Parks Alliance and Gardens of Golden Gate Park for their support of this project! For project details, click the link below. Pagoda Landscape Project   People of the Parks: Manila Luzon at the Japanese Tea Garden Normally, world-renowned drag performer Manila Luzon is entertaining audiences across the globe. But on this day, he (above, left) and his husband Mike were able to take a break and relax at Golden Gate Park’s Japanese Tea Garden—just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. “I get to travel often for work… but I’ve never really taken the time to come here,” the Rupaul’s Drag Race and Drag Race All Stars alumnus said. “There are so many Instagram-able moments. I love it!” But, as Manila learned, there’s a bittersweet history at the nation’s first public Japanese Tea Garden, which was created for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, then relocated to Golden Gate Park, where it was lovingly cared for, improved and expanded by the Hagiwara family, who lived onsite. In 1942, the Hagiwara family was forced to leave and placed in internment camps with some 120,000 Japanese Americans. Today, we recognize the family and their immense contributions to what is now one of the city’s most popular attractions. “It all works, and it’s easy to overlook that so much thought was put into every rock, bush, trail, and pond. It’s really cool,” Manila said. People of the Parks is a series of short stories based on conversations with people we meet in San Francisco parks.   Upcoming Events Illuminate Live at the Golden Gate Bandshell May 26, 27, 28 and 31 Get out to the park this May for the free concert series, Illuminate Live, at the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive). Swing by Friday Happy Hour on May 26 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. for an evening with the Erik Jekabson Band. On Saturday, May 27 we have Kids' Fest from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. featuring Charity and the JAMBand and magic with Mike Della Penna. For Reggae Sunday on May 28 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., we have DJs Irie Dole and Guid8nce with special guest Native Elements. Next week, wrap up the month with Singer/Songwriter Wednesday on May 31 from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring Donovan Plant, Jenny Kerr, and Riptide Station. For more information, click the link below. Golden Gate Bandshell   Mobile Rec at Carnaval San Francisco Festival on May 27 Mobile Rec is coming to the Carnaval San Francisco festival this weekend! Our team will be located on 20th Street and Treat Avenue with its skateboarding setup on Saturday, May 27. For more information on the Carnaval Festival, click the link below. Carnaval SF   Golden Gate Park Band: Armenian Day Concert on May 28 Join the Golden Gate Park Band for its free Sunday concert series at the Golden Gate Bandshell running through the summer. The next show is its Armenian Day concert on May 28 from 1 to 2:35 p.m. that will feature Alfred Reed’s Armenian Dances, Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance and more. For more information, click the link below. Golden Gate Park Band   Harvey Milk Photo Center: Our Mothers Ourselves Artist Talk on May 30 Join the Harvey Milk Photo Center (50 Scott Street) for its artist talk for the Our Mothers Ourselves exhibit on Tuesday, May 30 at 7 p.m. The exhibit features 10 artists who explore maternal legacies, sharing perspectives through photo-based images, constructed objects, and audio narratives. This talk will be hosted by Ann Jastrab and features artists Marsha Guggenheim, Federica Armstrong, Adrienne Defendi, Steve Goldband and Ellen Konar. For more information and to register for this free event, click the link below. Our Mothers Ourselves   Programming Camp Mather Openings this Summer Camp Mather currently has cabins and tent sites available for a number of weeks this summer. Click the link below to see availability and book your summer in the sierra. Spots are first come, first served. We look forward to seeing you in the mountains! Camp Mather   Harvey Milk Center's Instructor Showcase Open Through June 2 Swing by the Harvey Milk Center for the Arts (50 Scott Street) to check out its instructor showcase, open through Friday, June 2. It features a unique and diverse collection of work from the center's visual and digital art instructors, including paintings, photographs, sculptural pieces and more. For more information about the facility, including hours, click the link below. Harvey Milk Center for the Arts   Registration Open for Giants Academy Program Starting on June 12 The Giants Community Fund is partnering with Rec and Park to introduce a new competitive baseball and softball academy beginning this summer. The eight-week program running from June 12 through August 5 will be free for all families involved! The academy will provide the opportunity for youth players from middle to high school levels to work on their game in the offseason with weekday practices and Saturday games. For more information and to register, click the link below. Giants Academy   Sign Up for the SF Merionettes Artistic Swimming Summer Camp in July Interested in expanding your aquatic regimen? Join the San Francisco Merionettes Synchronized Swim program for its artistic swimming summer camp from July 11 to 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Let your child experience the exciting sport of synchronized swimming at Coffman Pool (1700 Visitacion Avenue). To sign up, email admin at sfmerionettes.org or click the link below for more information. SF Merionettes Summer Camp   YPTMTC Alumna Performs National Anthem at SF Nighthawks Game Our Video of the Week comes from the Young People's Teen Musical Theatre Company (YPTMTC) and features its alumna Sara Sinasohn singing the national anthem at the San Francisco Nighthawks' first game of its summer season. Sara is a college sophomore majoring in musical theatre and has been involved in Rec and Park programs since she was a child. She has served as a youth worker and is currently a recreation leader with our department. Established in 1995, the San Francisco Nighthawks call Kezar Stadium home. They are a women's soccer club and a founding member of the Women's Premier Soccer League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. For more information, including details on their next home game on Sunday, June 18, click the link below. SF Nighthawks    San Francisco Recreation and Parks | sfrecpark.org         SF Recreation and Parks | McLaren Lodge-Golden Gate Park, 501 Stanyan Street, San Francisco , CA 94117 Unsubscribe house at digitalkingdom.org Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by rpdinfo at sfgov.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!
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