Reminder: eNews from SF Recreation and Parks- August 28, 2024

[SF Recreation and Parks]

Updates, news and events in San Francisco parks   Highlights, News & Announcements Pint-Sized Critics Put New Richmond Playground to the Test Richmond Playground re-opened earlier this week following a $3.5 million makeover. A group of enthusiastic young critics got the first crack at its thrilling new features, including a bear tower sculpture, challenging climbing rock, slides and imaginative play areas. Watch their reviews at the link below. The renovation was funded by the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Bond and Let’sPlaySF!, a partnership between Rec and Park and the San Francisco Parks Alliance to transform 13 of San Francisco’s most timeworn playgrounds into dynamic hubs for creativity and family life. Richmond Playground Review   The Whale's Tail in Golden Gate Park: Labor Day Weekend with El Rio The Whale’s Tail, Golden Gate Park's seasonal watering hole, is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and select holidays all summer and will feature a revolving schedule of live music, as well as food trucks, street art, and games. It is located at the 14th Avenue East Meadow just west of the Rose Garden on the JFK Promenade. For Labor Day weekend, El Rio will be collaborating with Illuminate and SF Live on performances from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1. Additionally, there will be a bonus Whale's Tail day on Labor Day, September 2.   The seasonal destination is a collaboration between Rec and Park, Non Plus Ultra, Illuminate, and SF Live. For more information, including the music lineup, food truck and drink menu, click the link below. The Whale's Tail   Free Shakespeare in the Park at McLaren Park for Labor Day Weekend The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival returns to the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park with its free production of "The Tempest" from August 31 through September 2 with shows beginning at 2 p.m. daily. Additional shows at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater take place next weekend on September 7 and 8 before moving to Sue Bierman Park for the first time starting on Saturday, September 14. The production is directed by Rotimi Agbabiaka and has been acclaimed for its joyfulness. Actor Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe plays the role of Prospero. Thought to be Shakespeare’s last solo written play, "The Tempest" tells the tale of a father (Prospero) and daughter (Miranda) set adrift to sea by the jealous machinations of Prospero’s brother. Admission is free. For more information, call the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival at (415) 558-0888 or click the link below. Shakespeare in the Park: The Tempest   Flower Piano Returns to the SF Botanical Garden September 13 to 22 Flower Piano is set to return to the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue) from September 13 to 22, with a special opening night event on September 12. Presented by Sunset Piano and the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, Flower Piano will transform the garden into the city’s own al fresco concert hall where everyone is invited to play and listen. Wander through the Garden and catch scheduled performances, experience a private concert in the Flower Piano Lounge, or take a turn on the keys yourself. Flower Piano is free to attend for San Francisco residents. Veterans, SNAP, WIC, and CalFresh recipients (via the Museums for All program) receive free entry with accepted forms of ID. For more information and to purchase tickets, click the link below. Flower Piano   A New Way to Learn Tennis and Pickleball in San Francisco Convenient, safe, and professional: the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and Rec Technologies recently announced an innovative pilot program matching tennis and pickleball players of all levels to professional instructors on select courts across the city.  Via the Rec Instructor Network, residents can now book professional 1:1 and small group lessons from licensed instructors conveniently at their local park. Whether you want to improve your serve, perfect your backhand, or master the art of the dink, you’ll be able to find a coach to teach you, all without leaving your neighborhood! All teaching pros are insured and undergo a thorough background check, allowing for a safe and secure experience.   Ready to Up Your Game? Here’s How to Book a Lesson Discover Players will be able to see instructor profiles at rec.us/sfrecpark/coaching with details on teaching background, availability, and certifications Sign Up Players will be able to instantly book instructors that post confirmed availability, or they can contact instructors to request a lesson for a time and place that works for both sides Play! Every lesson will come with a reserved court so residents spend less time figuring out a place to learn and more time focusing on improving their game! Additional information on the coaching pilot can be found at the link below. Book a Lesson Today!   Apply for the Greenager Program by September 6 The Greenager Program is now recruiting motivated rising 9th to 12th graders who live in or attend school in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, southeast, or northeast neighborhoods. This youth leadership and stewardship program, run by Rec and Park in partnership with The Port of San Francisco, takes place from February to August 2025. Participants will have the opportunity to lead and inspire their community by enhancing the city’s green spaces, developing place-based projects, and enjoying exciting team-building adventures. This is a paid program that primarily takes place on Saturdays, with additional weekday events and overnight trips sprinkled throughout. Applications, including the supplemental questionnaire, are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 6. For more details and to apply, click the link below. Greenager Program   San Francisco Vintage Market Draws Crowds, Next September 21 Everything old is new again at the San Francisco Vintage Market in Fulton Plaza, located in the heart of San Francisco's Civic Center area. The market features more than 30 vendors focusing on antique and vintage furniture, art, clothing, household items and more! The first two markets have averaged nearly 2,000 visitors. See some photos above from the last occurrence earlier this month. The market takes place every third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features live music from Illuminate Live. Fulton Plaza is easily accessible by public transportation (Civic Center/United Nations Plaza BART stop). Come out for the next one on Saturday, September 21. For more information, click the link below. SF Vintage Market   Department on the Status of Women Needs Assessment Survey The San Francisco Department on the Status of Women (DOSW) is conducting its Community Needs Assessment and wants to hear from City and County of San Francisco employees about their experiences in San Francisco. The survey will help inform DOSW’s programming priorities. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and support gender equity programming across San Francisco at the link below. DOSW Needs Assessment Survey   Balboa Park Community Meeting on September 9 Join the Friends of Balboa Park, Rec and Park and the San Francisco Parks Alliance for a community meeting to discuss proposed improvements to Balboa Park, including for the skate park and outdoor exercise equipment. It will take place on Monday, September 9 beginning at 7 p.m. at the community center in the Ingleside Police Station (1 Sgt John V Young Lane). Swing by and help shape the future of this park! RSVP for the meeting here. For more information, click the link below. Friends of Balboa Park   Koshland Park Community Meeting on September 14 Join Rec and Park and the Trust for Public Land for the second community meeting to discuss improvements to Koshland Park on Saturday, September 14 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the park's community garden (Page and Buchanan streets). Come by to meet your neighbors and discuss possible improvements regarding accessibility, safety and the park's community garden.   Apply for the Chinatown Artist Registry; Deadline Extended to October 9 The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) invites artists and artist teams residing in the United States to submit qualifications for the Chinatown Artist Registry to be considered for upcoming public art opportunities in the neighborhood. The deadline has been extended to Monday, October 7. Artists with a meaningful connection to Chinatown––including current or former residents, those with relationships to the area, those who share its culture and values, or those with other significant ties––are encouraged to apply. The Chinatown Artist Registry will be used to select artists to be commissioned for a range of public art projects associated with current and upcoming construction in the neighborhood, including improvements to Portsmouth Square. For more information and to apply, click the link below. Chinatown Artist Registry   Upcoming Events Civic Center Soundtrack Concert Series on August 29, 30 & September 3 Civic Center Soundtrack, a free concert series by Illuminate Live, is at Fulton Plaza between San Francisco Main Library and the Asian Art Museum. These diverse musical performances will be held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. August 29 | 2-5 p.m. Featuring Izzy and Roscoe, John Tardiff, and Kevin Coffey August 30 | 12-3 p.m. Featuring Alex Walsh, Dylan Moses McGonigle, and Jo Jo September 3 | 12-3 p.m. Featuring Angel Island Jazz, Jenerator, Merle Badges Illuminate Live   Dance, Dine & Unwind in Embarcadero August 29, 30, 31 & September 4 Rec and Park, along with the Office of Economic Workforce Development, SF New Deal, and Into the Streets, recently launched Bricks at Embarcadero Plaza. Bricks will bring an array of exciting weekly activations to the plaza from Wednesday to Sunday, including happy hours, dance parties, trivia, family days, networking events, and more. This week we have Trivia by the Bay on Thursday, August 29 from 3 to 7 p.m.; Groove on the Bricks dance party on Friday, August 30 from 3 to 7 p.m.; and Family Day on Saturday, August 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring free drop-in educational and play activities curated and hosted by Children's Creativity Museum. We kick off next week at the plaza on Wednesday, September 4 with a Breaking Bread Business Mixer from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All happy hour events feature food and drink specials from Osha Thai.   For more information about Bricks, including events, click the link below. Bricks at Embarcadero Plaza   Hip Hop on the Plaza at UN Plaza on August 30 Check out the August schedule for All the Way Live Foundation's Hip Hop on the Plaza at UN Plaza (Market and Hyde streets). The next will be held on August 30 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and will feature a breaking workshop, followed by a dance session with Bboy Powerserge. For more information, click the link below. All the Way Live Foundation   Illuminate Live at the Bandshell on August 30, 31, September 1 & 4 Join us for a free concert with Illuminate Live at the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) in Golden Gate Park. August 30 | 4:30-7 p.m. Friday Happy Hour featuring B3B4 Organ Jazz Quartet August 31 | Noon-4 p.m. Surf Music Festival featuring The Mermen, The New Shockwaves, and Uncle Sea Monster September 1 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. Reggae Sunday featuring DJ Guid8nce, Irie Dole, and Bayonics September 4 | 4-7 p.m. Singer/Songwriter Wednesday featuring Jon and The Baptists, The Grups, and The Last Four Illuminate Live   Fillmore Rodeo Block Party at Margaret Hayward Playground August 31 Giddy up for the Fillmore Rodeo Block Party at Margaret Hayward Playground (1016 Laguna Street) on Saturday, August 31 from noon to 5 p.m. Join community partners for a day that features mechanical bull rides, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, food, Ohlone tribute, and the Black Cowboys! Mosey on down for a day filled with fun in the Fillmore! To RSVP for the basketball tournament, click the link below. 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament   SF Mime Troupe in Panhandle August 31, Dolores Park September 1-2 Join the Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe for their presentation of "American Dreams." The production follows the main character Gabriel Pearce's pursuit of the new American Dream after abandoning liberalism collides with his daughter's nightmare of a fractured future, as both grapple with the realities of a shifting political landscape, artificial intelligence, and the elusive promise of a utopian society. This FREE show will take place at the Panhandle in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, August 31, as well as Sunday, September 1 and Monday, September 2 at Dolores Park (Dolores and 19th Streets). Shows begin at 2 p.m. with music starting a half hour before. For more information, click the link below. SF Mime Troupe   San Francisco Model Yacht Club Open House on September 1 Join the San Francisco Model Yacht Club (SFMYC) on Sunday, September 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for its monthly open house at the club (1217 John F. Kennedy Drive). They feature free tours of the historic clubhouse and its collection of handmade sail and power boats regatta. For more information, click the link below. SFMYC     Golden Gate Park Band Labor Day Weekend Shows on September 1 & 2 Join the Golden Gate Park Band for Labor Day weekend shows at the Golden Gate Bandshell! On Sunday, September 1 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., swing by for the Big Band Dance Party where the group will transform into a 17-piece Jazz big band with guest vocalist Tiffany Unarce Barry, guitarist and singer Mark Burgess, and pianist Dee Spencer. Bring your dancing shoes and enjoy the groove! Celebrate Labor Day on September 2 with an uplifting concert that honors hardworking people everywhere. From 1 to 2:30 p.m., enjoy a lively performance featuring American classics by Leroy Anderson, Sousa, and more. For more information, click the link below. Golden Gate Park Band   Chinatown Night Out at Portsmouth Square on September 4 Join the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and community partners for Chinatown Night Out on Wednesday, September 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Portsmouth Square (745 Kearny Street). Meet your neighbors and local SFPD officers at this free event while connecting with community resources and enjoying entertainment. For more information, click the link below.   U.S. Open Watch Party & Community Tennis Day on September 7 Join the Tennis Coalition of San Francisco, Lifetime Activities, the San Francisco Parks Alliance and Rec and Park for the 6th Annual U.S. Open Watch Party and Community Tennis Day. It will take place on Saturday, September 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Goldman Tennis Center (50 Bowling Green Drive) in Golden Gate Park. There will be many free and fun activities including a livestream of the women’s championship match, tennis for all ages including mini-tennis for kids, face painting, balloon animals, and more. For more information and to register, click the link below. US Open Watch Party   Programming and Regular Series Activity and Class Schedule for Civic Center Plazas Check out all of the amazing drop-in activities and scheduled classes available at the reimagined UN Plaza and surrounding Civic Center area. From the Heart of the City Farmers' Market and live music at Fulton Plaza to free drop-in yoga classes at UN Plaza, we have something for everyone to get out and play in San Francisco's core. See the workout class schedule from Rae Studios at UN Plaza, as well as the full amenity list and schedule at the link below. Civic Center Plazas   Mission Rec Rebels Girls Basketball Tryouts Begin August 29 The Mission Recreation Center (MRC) Rebels girls AAU basketball program is holding tryouts for its storied program! Tryouts begin on Thursday, August 29 for grades 4 to 8 with following dates on August 30, September 3 and 6. All tryouts take place at St. Mary's Recreation Center (95 Justin Drive) beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information and to register, click the link below. Mission Rec Rebels   Chess Club Thursdays in Glen Park Join the San Francisco Public Library and Rec and Park for chess club Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. Sessions take place at the Glen Park Branch Library (2835 Diamond Street) on the first, third and fifth Thursdays of the month, while sessions on the second and fourth Thursdays take place at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street). These sessions are for players of all skill levels including kids (6 and older), teens and adults. Improve your memory, concentration and logical thinking skills through this time-honored game! For more information, contact Glen Park Recreation Center at (415) 239-4007.     Adaptive Bike Program in Golden Gate Park on Saturdays Check out San Francisco's free Adaptive Bike Program in Golden Gate Park on Saturdays through October 26. In partnership with the BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, we're providing hand cycles, foot trikes and tandem bikes for use on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These adaptive cycles will be available at the Music Concourse behind the Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive), next to the accessible parking lot. No reservations are needed; first come, first served. For more information, call (510) 848-2930 or email sfcycling at borp.org.   Drop-In Wheelchair Basketball at Glen Park Recreation Center Glen Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) is hosting a free drop-in wheelchair basketball session every Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. in partnership with BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation. All ages are welcome. You don't have to have a mobility disability to participate, but you must be able to maneuver a wheelchair. Wheelchairs are available (will fit people at least 5-feet tall). Let's get hooping! Additional questions? Contact Glen Park Recreation Center at (415) 239-4007.   Sundays at the Beach on the Great Highway: Chair Yoga on September 1 Join the Friends of Great Highway Park for its Sundays at the Beach programming. These free activities, from live music to mat yoga, will be hosted four times a month. The next program will be chair yoga on Sunday, September 1 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Irving Street and the Great Highway. For more information, click the link below. Chair Yoga   Swing into Stories in San Francisco Parks The San Francisco Public Library's (SFPL) YouthMobile is coming to parks around the city. Movement and play are essential building blocks in fostering literacy and a love of reading and the SFPL is bringing stories and song to San Francisco's parks through its Swing into Stories program. It takes place at a different park each Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon (Storytime begins at 10:30 a.m.) with the next at Garfield Playground on September 3. See the monthly schedule here: 1st Tuesday of the month Garfield Playground (Treat and 26th streets) 2nd Tuesday of the month Koret Playground in Golden Gate Park (by the carousel) 3rd Tuesday of the month Hilltop Playground (Newcomb Avenue & Whitney Young Circle) 4th Tuesday of the month Redwood Grove Playground in McLaren Park (200 John F. Shelly Drive) Join us for a high-energy story time in our beautiful outdoors!  The YouthMobile offers a diverse selection of children’s library materials available for check-out with an SFPL library card. From the city’s only kid-focused bookmobile, staff circulates materials, creates library cards and provides the public with information about library services and programs. For more information and the Swing into Stories schedule, click the link below.  Swing into Stories   Movie Night at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center on September 3 Join our staff at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) for classic movie nights! The next will take place on Tuesday, September 3, beginning at 6 p.m. and will feature the 1945 film "Detour." Come out to meet your neighbors and to enjoy these vintage films. For more information, contact Glen Park Recreation Center at (415) 239-4007.   Video of the Week Richmond Playground Opening Video Our Video of the Week highlights the renovation of Richmond Playground. After much anticipation, the playground welcomed back the community earlier this week, but not before it faced the ultimate test—an exclusive sneak peek by the neighborhood’s toughest critics: local youth. Watch as these young reviewers deliver their candid verdict on the revamped play space, grading it with honesty only kids can provide!     SF Rec and Park Job Openings Get Your SF Rec and Park Swag Here Volunteer with SF Rec and Park   San Francisco Recreation and Parks | sfrecpark.org         SF Recreation and Parks | McLaren Lodge-Golden Gate Park 501 Stanyan Street | San Francisco , CA 94117 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice
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